IRON-DEFICIENCY IN DEVELOPED-COUNTRIES - PREVALENCE, INFLUENCE OF LIFE-STYLE FACTORS AND HAZARDS OF PREVENTION

Objective: To review the prevalence of iron deficiency in developed co untries, the influence of lifestyle factors that may contribute to its occurrence, and dangers of population directed prevention. Design: Re levant literature was selected to identify populations at risk for iro n deficiency and iron overload. Results: Although iron deficiency anae mia is not a major health problem in developed countries, specific gro ups of the population remain endangered. These groups are young childr en, adolescents, pregnant women, the elderly, blood donors, vegetarian s, endurance athletes and migrants. On the other hand, about 10% of Ca ucasians carry the mutation for hereditary haemochromatosis and are at risk for iron overload. Conclusion: Measures to prevent iron deficien cy should be specifically aimed at population groups at risk. Actions to increase iron intake and bioavailability in the general population can be harmful for subjects with homozygous and heterozygous forms of iron overload diseases.