A case-control study related to vitamin and mineral intake in female adolescents with iron deficiency anemia

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a nutritional problem that occurs in female adolescents around the world. Iron absorption in the small intestine is influenced by the presence of vitamin C, calcium, and zinc in ingested foods. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and zinc intake with IDA in female adolescents. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 60 anemic and 58 normal female adolescents. IDA diagnosis was determined using Hb levels and erythrocyte indexes and the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to determine vitamin and mineral intake. All collected data were analyzed using chisquare and multiple logistic regression tests with p<0.05. Results: All groups had an adequate intake of vitamin A and C but they had inadequate intake of calcium and zinc (in mg). However, they all had different frequencies in consuming those micronutrients. Rare intake of vitamin A (OR=2.67; CI95%=1.10-6.50; p=0.03) and frequent intake of calcium (OR=2.27; CI95%=0.856.03; p=0.10) increased IDA, compared with frequent intake of vitamin A and rare intake of calcium but only vitamin A intake had a significant effect. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a higher risk of IDA in female adolescents is related to a rare intake of vitamin A. (Health Science Journal of Indonesia 2020;11(1):52-6)