Background: Iron deficiency is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency disease in the world and occurs in young women in the United States. Female military personnel represent a unique population faced with intense physical and cognitive demands.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among three populations of female military personnel in the US Army.
Methods: Iron status was assessed in 1216 volunteers. Volunteers were recruited from three groups: immediately following initial entry to the Army (IET), immediately following basic combat training (AIT), or following at least six months of permanent assignment (PP). Iron deficiency was determined using a three variable model, including cut-off values for serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, and red cell distribution width (RDW). Iron deficiency anemia was categorized by iron deficiency and a hemoglobin (Hgb) value of <12 g/dL.
Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency was greater in women in the AIT group (32.8%) than in the IET and PP groups (13.4 and 9.6%, respectively). The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was greater in the AIT group (20.9%) than in the IET and PP groups (5.8 and 4.8%, respectively). Furthermore, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was greater in Hispanic (21.9%) and African-American military personnel (22.9%) than in Caucasian military personnel (10.5%).
Conclusions: These data indicate that female military personnel experience diminished iron status following training, and that iron nutriture is an important issue facing females in the military.