Iron in polish female soccer players–dietary intake and questionnaire validation

Abstract

Summary Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate dietary iron intake by professional female soccer players and to estimate the possible risk of iron deficiency. Equipment and methods The research was completed by 38 professional soccer players of the three soccer leagues: Ekstraleague, I League, and II League. The participants had their height and body mass measured. The data food consumption and iron intake was obtained through the method of a systematic recording of results conducted throughout a 3-day long period and food frequency questionnaire, adapted to evaluation of intake of this particular micronutrients (IRONIC-FFQ). Results The age of the participants was 21 ± 5 years, the height was 167 ± 5 cm, and the body mass median was 59,2 kg. Most common iron sources in study group were cereal products (31,8%), meats (14,1%) and vegetables (9,9%). Iron intake with using IRONIC-FFQ method was 8,06 mg, while using 3-day dietary food record method was 8,8 mg. After comparing both method with each other we found a correlation (P Conclusion In conclusion, iron intake in study group was sufficient. Validation of IRONIC-FFQ with Spearman test gives positive results, but failed with Bland-Altman plot.