Dietary factors affecting iron status of children residing in rural West Virginia

This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency among a group of infants (6 to 11.9 months) and toddlers (12 to 24 months) and to examine the relationship between dietary intake and iron status. Participants were recruited from WIC clinics in counties where the prevalence of anemia was high (>10%). Twenty-four hour recalls were used to determine dietary intake. Blood was analyzed for iron studies. Dietary factors were examined for their association with iron status using logistic regression analysis. No infants were iron deficient, but 12/39 (31%) toddlers were found to be iron deficient. Ferritin was significantly higher in infants compared to toddlers (44.2 microg/L v. 19.2 microg/L, p<0.001). Milk and calcium intakes were inversely associated with iron status. Each additional serving of meat increased the odds of normal iron status by about 30%. Meat intake may help to prevent iron deficiency during the transition to table foods.