PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AMONG THREE POPULATIONS OF FEMALE MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE US ARMY

James P. McClung, Louis J. Marchitelli, Karl E. Friedl and Andrew J. Young

Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 25, No. 1, 64-69 (2006)

Background: Iron deficiency is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency disease in the world and occurs in young women in the United States. Female military personnel represent a unique population faced with intense physical and cognitive demands.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among three populations of female military personnel in the US Army.

Methods: Iron status was assessed in 1216 volunteers. Volunteers were recruited from three groups: immediately following initial entry to the Army (IET), immediately following basic combat training (AIT), or following at least six months of permanent assignment (PP). Iron deficiency was determined using a three variable model, including cut-off values for serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, and red cell distribution width (RDW). Iron deficiency anemia was categorized by iron deficiency and a hemoglobin (Hgb) value of <12 g/dL.

Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency was greater in women in the AIT group (32.8%) than in the IET and PP groups (13.4 and 9.6%, respectively). The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was greater in the AIT group (20.9%) than in the IET and PP groups (5.8 and 4.8%, respectively). Furthermore, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was greater in Hispanic (21.9%) and African-American military personnel (22.9%) than in Caucasian military personnel (10.5%).

Conclusions: These data indicate that female military personnel experience diminished iron status following training, and that iron nutriture is an important issue facing females in the military.

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