Iron nutrition in adolescence
Marta Mesías1, Isabel Seiquer, M Pilar Navarro
1Unidad de Nutrición, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Camino del Jueves, 18100, Armilla, Granada, Spain. mmesias@ugr.es
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
|September 7, 2013
Summary
Adolescents need sufficient iron due to rapid growth. Unbalanced diets can lead to iron deficiency anemia, impacting cognitive function and behavior, highlighting the need for nutrient-rich foods.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Adolescent Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period of increased nutritional needs, particularly for iron, due to rapid growth and development.
- Elevated iron requirements stem from increased blood volume and muscle mass development during puberty.
- Inadequate iron intake and poor bioavailability in adolescent diets can lead to widespread iron deficiency anemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the increased iron requirements during adolescence.
- To emphasize the importance of dietary iron intake and bioavailability for adolescent health.
- To discuss the consequences of iron deficiency on cognitive function and behavior in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on adolescent physiology and nutritional requirements.
- Analysis of dietary patterns and their impact on iron status.
- Examination of the relationship between iron deficiency and cognitive/behavioral outcomes.
Main Results:
- Physiological changes during adolescence significantly increase iron demands.
- Monotonous and unbalanced diets are common, often limiting essential mineral intake and bioavailability.
- Iron deficiency anemia negatively affects cognitive abilities and behavior in adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Meeting increased iron needs through a balanced diet with adequate bioavailability is crucial for adolescent health.
- Promoting varied and nutrient-dense diets can prevent iron deficiency and support long-term well-being.
- Addressing iron deficiency in adolescence has significant implications for present health and future adult life.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:26Minerals
Minerals are essential nutrients that the human body needs in small amounts to work properly. They play a vital role in many bodily functions, such as building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are needed for hormone production or to maintain a normal heartbeat. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, while trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium.
01:20Overview of Hematopoiesis
Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is a vital biological process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. This process generates the various types of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
01:24Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
01:24Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
The cardiovascular system regulates the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream to ensure optimal oxygen transport. It also prevents over-proliferation of these cells, which helps to maintain blood viscosity and flow rate.
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...