Nutritional survey in an iron- and folate-deficient population

A high prevalence of folate and iron-deficiency anemia was found in women and children of Kiryat Shmoneh, an Upper Galilee community. Malnutrition was assumed to be partially responsible for these deficiencies. To verify this assumption, a detailed nutrition survey was carried out in 30 families, comprising 232 individuals in this community. A low overall caloric intake was found in 30% of the population studied. The dietary folates consumed were much below the recommended dietary allowance in all subjects. In over 60% of the subjects investigated, the daily iron intake was also below the recommended allowance. These data support the role of malnutrition in the development of folate and iron deficiencies in the community studied.