Food Facts

Food FactsAsia

FOOD FACTS ASIA • ISSUE 12 • SECOND QUARTER • 2001

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LACKING CONCENTRATION? MAYBE IT’S A lack of

Do your children lack concentration? Rather than blaming it on age or boring lessons, the problem may be due to a lack of iron.

Irritability, poor concentration, loss of appetite and frequent colds and flu can all be symptoms of one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world - iron deficiency. It has been estimated that between 50 and 80 % of children in Asia are iron deficient. Even in developed Western countries such as Australia, the incidence of iron deficiency can be as high as 20% in young children and in adolescents. In the case of many nutrients, subclinical deficiencies (deficiencies of a nutrient that don’t produce symptoms) are not overly serious unless they are allowed to progress. However in the case of iron, the evidence to hand suggests that it can have profound effects on behaviour and development, often with no other obvious symptoms.

Iron and children

Iron deficiency in childhood differs to the condition in adults. In children, the most likely cause is a lack of iron in the diet coupled with increased iron needs for growth. While anaemia may be present if the deficiency is profound, in many

children the only symptoms may be irritability, difficulty concentrating, lethargy and minor behavioural changes that are often put down to tiredness or just bad behaviour. Iron is needed for producing energy from food, which is why a lack of iron can cause tiredness and a lack of energy. “Iron deficiency between the ages of nine and 24 months of age is of particular concern as it can impact on intellectual and psychomotor deveopment. Studies comparing groups of children who are iron deficient with those with normal iron status have...