The Pattern of Iron-source Food Consumption and its Relation with Adult Anemia (Data Analysis of Indonesian Family Life Survey 2014)

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia is a public health concern that impacts reduced present and future economic productivity of a nation. Therefore, it is important to determine the factors associated with anemia, especially in adults. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of consumption (frequencies of consuming meat, egg, green vegetables and fruits), individual characteristics (sex, body mass index (BMI)), social economic status (working status, living area, spending on food), and physical activity the relationship between the previous stated factors with anemia, and to determine the dominant factors of anemia among adults on Java Island. Materials and Method:Data of 1,178 adults on Java Island, Indonesia was obtained from the 2014. Indonesian Family Life Survey which was collected by the RAND Corporation. The study applied crosssectional designed and data was analysed using chi-square statistical analysis. Results:The average hemoglobin level among adults on Java Island was 13.5±1.96 g/dL;22% of adults were anemic. While the proportion of anemia was significantly higher in adults who were female, unemployed, performed inadequate physical activity and consumed egg less frequently (p <0.05), there was no significant relationship between the consumption of iron-source food, except for egg, and anemia. After controlling for BMI and consumption frequency of meat and egg in multivariate analysis the dominant factor for anemia was sex. Conclusion:On Java Island -Indonesia the risk of anemia is 1.8 times higher among adults who consume egg less frequently.