Abstract
Intake of iron-rich foods was investigated in Senegalese adolescent girls. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 136 girls aged 13 to 18, attending two colleges in Dakar. Data on the consumption of iron-rich foods over the previous week were collected through a food frequency questionnaire. Results show that 12% of the girls had consumed dishes made with iron-rich foods 3 times or less in the past seven days, 34%, 4 to 6 times, and 54%, 7 times and above. However, 83% of the girls had anntake of iron-rich foods below the 84 g per day recommended for animal protein sources by the EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems. The diet of Senegalese adolescent girls seems conducive to iron deficiency. To define effective interventions to improve the situation, investigating underlying factors to the low consumption of iron-rich foods is warranted.
Highlights
Anaemia is a global public health problem affecting populations living in both developing and developed countries, with major consequences on human health as well as on social and economic development [1]
According to Akseer et al [3], iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and iron deficiency are the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years lost by adolescent girls aged 10-19
58 g of iron-rich foods were consumed per day
Summary
Anaemia is a global public health problem affecting populations living in both developing and developed countries, with major consequences on human health as well as on social and economic development [1]. It occurs at all stages of the life cycle, but it is more prevalent in pregnant women, young children, and adolescent girls. According to Akseer et al [3], iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and iron deficiency are the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years lost by adolescent girls aged 10-19. The first 1 000 days of life are a priority for preventing malnutrition, adolescence provides a second window of opportunity for a high return on investments with nutritional interventions [4]
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