METHODS TO ASSESS IRON STATUS IN VARIOUS NHANES SURVEYS

This paper summarizes iron status measurements included in the three c ross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHAN ES) completed to date, as well as a special study of Hispanics, known as the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES). Appr oaches for defining iron status in the population based on these measu rements are also described as well as issues in comparing iron status data between surveys, using NHANES II and III data as an example.