Why Do Obese Children Have Increased Iron Deficiency? :

A new study has found a connection between obesity in preschoolers and a greater risk for iron deficiency.

Researchers analyzed blood samples from 960 toddlers and found that “20 percent of obese toddlers have iron deficiency, compared to 7 percent of normal-weight toddlers.”

Iron is the mineral that helps our red blood cells to bind to oxygen, thus helping our bodies create energy. An iron deficiency can eventually lead to anemia and symptoms such as fatigue or weakness.

Interestingly, the study also found that children who were in daycare centers had a 50 percent less risk of having the iron deficiency.

Why?
As to why obese preschoolers are at a higher risk for iron deficiency, experts believe that part of the reason is due to some parents who “let toddlers drink cow's milk and juice from a bottle, instead of weaning them and introducing iron-rich foods such as meat, beans, eggs, spinach and fortified breads.”

Calcium* is also one of several nutrients and foods such as soy products*, coffee, tea and even whole wheat bran* that have been found to interfere with the absorption of iron.

Children in day care centers may be on a better diet when compared to home, thus lowering the rates of iron deficiency.

As researcher, Dr. Jane Brotanek is quoted, "What you put in your baby's bottle can affect your child's future,"

References

• Hallberg L, Brune M, Erlandsson M, et al. Calcium: effect of different amounts on nonheme- and heme-iron absorption in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:112–9.
• Hallberg L, Rossander-Hulthén L, Brune M, Gleerup A. Inhibition of haem-iron absorption in man by calcium. Br J Nutr 1992;69:533–40.
• Simpson KM, Morris ER, Cook JD. The inhibitory effect of bran on iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr 1981;34:1469–78.
• Hallberg L, Rossander L. Effect of soy protein on nonheme iron absorption in man. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;36:514–20.

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