High Prevalence Anemia in Female Adolescents with Low Intake of Vitamins and Minerals

Abstract

Anemia is a global public health problem which female adolescents are one of the most vulnerable age groups. Anemia in female adolescents which is caused by micronutrients deficiency can influence physical growth and academic performance. Vitamin and mineral have important roles in erythrocyte formation and enhancement of iron absorption. Hence the objective of this study was to determine association between intake of vitamins, minerals and anemia in female adolescents. This study was conducted in 3 Senior and 2 Vocational High Schools in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java. There were 120 female adolescents who participated in this study, aged 13-17 years old, and were at year X and XI. They did not have menstruation and worm infection. Anemia was determined from Hb concentration using the cyanmethemoglobin method while vitamins and minerals intake were obtained from 24-hour recall questionnaire in two alternating days. Association between vitamins and minerals intake and anemia was analyzed using chi-square test (p<0.05). Anemia was found in 37.5% female adolescents and the result of chi-square analysis indicated a positive association between folic acid (OR=1.6), Magnesium (OR=1.17) and Manganese (OR=1.97) and anemia, but it was not significant. Inadequate vitamin B 12 intake increased 1.78 times anemia risk. Higher risk of anemia was found in female adolescents with inadequate intake of Vitamin B 1 (OR=1.65) and Magnesium (OR=1.11). Whereas adequate intake of Manganese decreased 0.537 times anemia risk. Vitamins and minerals intake do not associate with anemia but it increases anemia risk in female adolescents in Sukoharjo Regency.

A Study to Assess the Prevalence of Anemia and Knowledge Regarding Anemia among Adolescent Girls of Selected Schools of Gurugram, Haryana

“…Thus, it is concluded that higher risk of anemia was found in female adolescents with inadequate intake of Vitamin B12 and Magnesium. 5 Ahankari A.S, Myles P.R, Fogarty A.W, Dixit J.V, Tata L.J (2017) conducted a cross-sectional study on 13 to 17 years old adolescent girls living in 34 villages of Osmanabad district. Data was collected from 1010 adolescent girls on individual health, dietary, socio demographic factors, and anthropometric measurements were taken.…”