Articles : Iron Deficiency of Elite Female Adolescent Athletes by Age and Sport Types in Inchon area

Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry 2004;8(3):399-408.

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate iron deficiency of elite female adolescent athletes in Inchon area. The subjects were 102 elite female athletes of middle and high schools located in Inchon. Nutrient intakes were obtained a self-reported questionnaire and 3-days recall method. Also anthropometric data and hematological parameters related to iron-deficiency were obtained. Statistical analysis by two-way ANOVA was performed to discriminate the main effects of age (as middle and high school athletes) and sports types, and their interaction. Partial correlations were also calculated to determine associations among the nutrient intakes, anthropometric measurements, exercised-related data and hematological parameters after age and total calorie intake were controlled. High school athletes` hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was significantly lower compared to middle school athletes (p＜0.05). Also track and field athletes of middle school showed the lowest Hb concentration and hematocrit (Hct), which were significantly different compared to those of other sports types (p＜0.05). More than half of the subjects were iron deficiency (Transferrin saturation＜16% or serum ferritin 15 μg/dl). But there was no significant difference in iron deficiency among the athletes of different sports types. There was no significant difference in the daily nutrient intakes and % RDAs between iron deficiency and normal groups. Hb concentration of the subjects showed weak positive correlations with their protein, iron, plant iron and zinc intakes, which were adjusted for age and total energy intakes. However, Hb concentration of the subjects showed weak negative correlation with their usual training time. Hct of the subjects showed weak positive correlation with their total protein and animal protein intake, which were adjusted for age and total energy intakes. But it showed weak negative correlation with their height. The result of this study suggests that elite female adolescent athletes in Inchon area had high frequency of iron deficiency. Therefore, nutrition education and action program are needed to prevent elite female adolescent athletes` health problems such as iron-deficiency and menstrual dysfunction, and to improve athletic performance and nutritional status.

Key Words: elite female adolescent athlete, iron deficiency, anemia