Iron Deficiency among School-Aged Adolescents in Hong Kong: Prevalence, Predictors, and Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life

Yin Ting Cheung (), Dorothy Fung Ying Chan, Cheuk Kwong Lee, Wai Chiu Tsoi, Ching Wa Lau, Jennifer Ngar Sze Leung, Jason Chi Chiu So, Chris Lei Po Wong, Stella Tsui Ying Tsang, Yvonne Yuen Ling Chu and Chi Kong Li ()
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Yin Ting Cheung: School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Dorothy Fung Ying Chan: Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
Cheuk Kwong Lee: Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong SAR, China
Wai Chiu Tsoi: 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: Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
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 Yuen Ling Chu: Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Chi Kong Li: Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: 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 <15 μg/L. The participants reported their dietary habits, menstrual patterns (girls), and HRQoL using structured questionnaires. The overall prevalence of ID was 11.1%. None of the boys had ID or IDA. Among girls, the rate of ID was 17.1% and IDA was 10.9%. One-third (36.3%) reported a regular habit of skipping ≥1 meal/day. Lower ferritin was found in adolescents who skipped meals (Est = −35.1, 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.

Keywords: iron deficiency; anemia; adolescents; dietary; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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