Iron and folate status in urban and rural Costa Rican teenagers
Monge, R.; Faiges, F.; Rivero, A.
Food and Nutrition Bulletin 22(1): 45-52
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5721 DOI: 10.1177/156482650102200108Document Number: 265755
This study evaluated the iron and folate status of Costa Rican adolescents and their dietary intake of these micronutrients . Haematological data, serum ferritin, serum folate and iron and folate intakes were evaluated in 307 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. The prevalence of anaemia was 4%. Iron deficiency was found in 3% of adolescents and iron-deficiency anaemia in 2% or less. The prevalence of deficient serum folate levels was less than 1%. Over 50% of females and around 20% of males did not consume 66.7% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iron. Iron bioavailability in the diet of urban adolescents was intermediate, whereas it was low in the diet of rural adolescents. Approximately 53% of adolescents did not consume two-thirds of the RDA for folate. It is necessary to modify adolescents' food habits in order to ensure an adequate iron and folate intake.