Iron insight: exploring dietary patterns and iron deficiency among teenage girls in Sweden.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This observational study examined the relationship between self-reported dietary patterns-omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan-and iron status among Swedish teenage girls. Additionally, we compared the consumption of various food groups in relation to iron status.

Methods

Data were collected from 475 female high school students in Malmö and Lund, Sweden, using questionnaires on dietary habits, iron supplementation, and demographic factors. Participants were classified into dietary groups: 347 omnivores, 38 pescatarians, 27 non-consumers of red meat, 60 vegetarians and 3 vegans. Blood samples were analysed for ferritin and haemoglobin levels to determine iron status. Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin < 15 µg/L, and anaemia as haemoglobin < 110 g/L if < 1

SUBMITTER: Stubbendorff A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11880139 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature