Dietary Habits, Physical Examination Findings and the Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in a Population From Ankara Soil and Fertilizer Research Inslilute

Abstract

Dietary habits in the workers is important since the prevalence of iron defıciencpoory anemia might be higher in this population dne to pear dietary intake. in the present study, dietary habits, clinical findings and the prevalence of iron deficiency anenıia \vere investigated in 104 workers fronı Ankara Soil and Fertilizer Research İnstitııte. Dietary' habits were evaluated according to the “Three days individııalfood consumption" method. The study population consisted of 25 females and 79 males. Plıysical examination of the workers were performed and body weight, height measurements were obtained and body mass indices (BMI) were calculated. After laboratory assessment 15.4% of the population were found to be anetnic (anemia threshold was considered 13 g/100 nıL for men and 12 g/100 mL for women). The workers with BMI lo\ver than 18.5 had a higher aııemia rate (66.7%). Fiftx percent of the workers were consıtming sııff'icient iron by daily intake. Sixty percent of rlıose witlı low iron intake were found to be anemic. Dietary vitamin C intake was sııff'icient in 55.8% and protein intake was sufficieııt iıı 62.5% of the workers. 75% of the workers with complains of paleness were anemic. The same rate in the subjects with weakness, palpitations, headaclıe and vertigo were 45.0of, 28.6%, 26.3% and 14.3% respectively. Futique, weakness and paleness were found to be significantly corrected with anemia v IJ.OI ) t 1/ ihi u'ith p(*le conjum in t/, 5^r r of rlıose svidı ananlar lesıons, 50.0% of tİHKSC U'ith ıh'Y skin, and *3.3% of fhose u'itlı pupiUary atrophy of the tongue and ılry luur n'cre fonnd İM1 ıinemİC (p< 0.05). The \\-(*rkcr.\ luıve the po tential risk to he anemic. Tfıercjorc, \\'ı>rkcrs athl îlıeıı families shoııld be educated about adequaîe and balanced nutrition. The fıındamenîal componenîs of the diet can be fortifıed \vith addition of ir on. Improving the economical statııs of the vvorkers would lead t o better and balanced nutrition and decrease the aııemia prevalence. At every meal Vitamin C should be consunıed in order to ıncrease absorbability of their on provided with plant sources.