Iron Deficiency among School-Aged Adolescents in Hong Kong

Prevalence, Predictors, and Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life

Bibliographic Data

ID15467005
AuthorsYin Ting Cheung (0000-0001-9874-8938, Chinese University of Hong Kong, corresponding author), Dorothy Fung Ying Chan (Prince of Wales Hospital), Cheuk Kwong Lee (0000-0002-3939-564X, Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong SAR, China), Wai‐Chiu Tsoi (0000-0003-2221-6833, Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong SAR, China), Ching Wa Lau (Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong SAR, China), Jennifer Ngar Sze Leung (Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong SAR, China), Jason Chi Chiu So (Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital), Chris Lei Po Wong (Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre, Hong Kong SAR, China), Stella Tsui Ying Tsang (Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre, Hong Kong SAR, China), Yvonne Chu (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Yvonne Yuen Ling Chu (Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China), Chi Kong Li (0000-0002-2810-5758, Chinese University of Hong Kong, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume20
Issue3
Pages2578-2578
Publication date2023-01-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20032578
PMID36767942
OpenAlexW4318832801
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited31

Iron deficiency (ID) is a prevalent nutritional deficiency affecting children/adolescents worldwide. We reported (1) the prevalence of ID and ID with anemia (IDA) among Chinese school-aged adolescents, (2) clinical and dietary predictors of iron status, and (3) its impact on health-related qualities of life (HRQoL). This cross-sectional study recruited 183 boys and 340 girls (mean age = 17.55) from 16 schools in Hong Kong. ID is defined as serum ferritin p = 0.017). Lower ferritin is correlated with poorer school functioning (Est = 0.81, p = 0.045) and fatigue (Est = 0.92, p = 0.016). Skipping meals is associated with poorer physical ( p = 0.0017) and school functioning ( p = 0.027). To conclude, 1 in 10 school-aged adolescents in Hong Kong are iron-deficient. The ID rate in girls (17.1%) is similar to that in other industrialized countries (5.2-16.6%). Future work should promote awareness on the potential health consequences of poor dietary habits on ID and the well-being of adolescents

Anemia · Environmental health · Iron deficiency · Psychiatry · Demography · Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders · Iron Metabolism and Disorders · Medicine · Nutrition and Health in Aging · Psychology · Gerontology

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