Poor Diet Linked to Anemia in Postmenopausal Women

PHILADELPHIAInadequate nutrition is linked to a greater risk of anemia in postmenopausal women, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Researchers from the University of Arizona examined data from 72,833 women in the Observational Cohort of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI-OS). They found deficiencies in more than a single nutrient were associated with a 21-percent greater risk of persistent anemia while three deficiencies resulted in a 44-percent increase in risk for persistent anemia.

Women with anemia reported lower intakes of energy, protein, folate, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin C and red meat. Inadequate intake of dietary iron, vitamin B12 and folate were each associated with approximately 10-percent to 20-percent elevated risk for incident anemia among WHI-OS study participants and the odds increased for persistent anemia to 21 percent. Age, body mass index and smoking also were associated with anemia.

"This study suggests that inadequate nutrient intakes are a significant risk factor for anemia in this population of older women and use of multivitamin/mineral supplements is not associated with lower rates of anemia," said lead investigator Cynthia A. Thomson, PhD, RD. "Overall mortality is increased in relation to a diagnosis of anemia, and anemia, particularly iron deficiency, has been associated with reduced capacity for physical work and physical inactivity, injury related to falls and hospitalizations, making this an important health care concern in the aging."