Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors Associate with Iron Status in Children and Adolescents Living in Canada

Abstract

Background

Prevention of iron deficiency (ID) in childhood and adolescence is an important public health issue because of the potential for severe and long-lasting consequences.

Prevention of iron deficiency (ID) in childhood and adolescence is an important public health issue because of the potential for severe and long-lasting consequences.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore demographic and lifestyle factors associated with iron status among children and adolescents living in Canada.

This study aimed to explore demographic and lifestyle factors associated with iron status among children and adolescents living in Canada.

Methods

Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey cycles 3 to 6 (2012–2019) and serum ferritin (SF) were used to determine the prevalence of ID using age-specific cut-points (<5 y: SF <12 μg/L; ≥5 y: SF <15 μg/L), and ID-regression-corrected for inflammation using C-reactive protein. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with SF and ID were tested within age–sex group (3–4 y, 5–13 y, 14–18 y) and overall (3–18 y) using multivariate regression analyses.

Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey cycles 3 to 6 (2012–2019) and serum ferritin (SF) were used to determine the prevalence of ID using age-specific cut-points (<5 y: SF <12 μg/L; ≥5 y: SF <15 μg/L), and ID-regression-corrected for inflammation using C-reactive protein. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with SF and ID were tested within age–sex group (3–4 y, 5–13 y, 14–18 y) and overall (3–18 y) using multivariate regression analyses.

Results

The prevalence of ID was 9.4% (ID-regression corrected: 13.7%). Females, red meat nonconsumers, and those of Indigenous identity had a higher prevalence of ID after accounting for other factors using SF cut-points and ID-regression. These factors were also associated with lower SF as a continuous variable in multiple linear regression analyses. Overall, higher odds ratios (ORs) for ID-regression corrected were observed among participants reporting lower household education [OR: 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 4.24 compared with postsecondary], Indigenous identity (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.26 compared with White), red meat nonconsumers (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.06 compared with low frequency of consumption), high frequency of consumption of calcium-rich foods (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.68 compared with low frequency of consumption), and female sex (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.72, 2.86 compared with male sex).

The prevalence of ID was 9.4% (ID-regression corrected: 13.7%). Females, red meat nonconsumers, and those of Indigenous identity had a higher prevalence of ID after accounting for other factors using SF cut-points and ID-regression. These factors were also associated with lower SF as a continuous variable in multiple linear regression analyses. Overall, higher odds ratios (ORs) for ID-regression corrected were observed among participants reporting lower household education [OR: 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 4.24 compared with postsecondary], Indigenous identity (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.26 compared with White), red meat nonconsumers (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.06 compared with low frequency of consumption), high frequency of consumption of calcium-rich foods (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.68 compared with low frequency of consumption), and female sex (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.72, 2.86 compared with male sex).

Conclusions

These data indicate the need for continued surveillance of iron intake and status among children and adolescents to help inform strategies that mitigate nutritional risks.

These data indicate the need for continued surveillance of iron intake and status among children and adolescents to help inform strategies that mitigate nutritional risks.