Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #205579
Title: Poor iron status is more prevalent in Hispanic than in non-Hispanic white older adults in Massachusetts

Author
item SEAVERSON, ERIN - HNRCA AT TUFTS
item BUELL, JENNIFER - FRIEDMAN SCHOOL AT TUFTS
item FLEMING, DIANA - HNRCA AT TUFTS
item Bermudez, Odillia
item POTISCHMAN, NANCY - NATL CANCER INSTITUTE
item Wood, Richard
item CHASAN-TABER, LISA - UNI MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
item Tucker, Katherine

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/25/2006
Publication Date: 2/1/2007
Citation: Seaverson, E.L., Buell, J.S., Fleming, D.J., Bermudez, O., Potischman, N., Wood, R., Chasan-Taber, L., Tucker, K. 2007. Poor iron status is more prevalent in Hispanic than in non-Hispanic white older adults in Massachusetts. Journal of Nutrition. 137(2):414-420.

Interpretive Summary: Iron status and dietary correlates of iron status have not been well described in Hispanic elders of Caribbean origin. The aim of this study was to evaluate iron status and describe dietary components and correlates of iron status in Hispanic elders of Caribbean origin and neighborhood based non-Hispanic white elders. About 605 elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites (59-91 years) from the Massachusetts Hispanic Elders Study participated in the study. We examined dietary factors in relation to iron status as well as physiological markers of iron status. Dietary intake was assessed through Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ). Our results revealed that Hispanic elders had significantly lower levels of iron and higher prevalence of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia was higher (7.2% vs. 2.3%) in Hispanic women. Hispanic elders had lower dietary intakes of total iron, vitamin C, supplemental vitamin C, and total calcium. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, alcohol use, smoking, total energy intake, inflammation, diabetes, and liver disease, intake of iron from red meat was positively associated with higher levels of iron in blood, and dietary calcium was negatively associated with these iron levels. This population of Hispanic elders was significantly more likely than their non-Hispanic white neighbors to suffer from anemia and poorer iron status, particularly among women. Cultural variation in dietary patterns may influence iron availability and body iron stores and contribute to an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia among some Hispanic elders.

Technical Abstract: Iron status and dietary correlates of iron status have not been well described in Hispanic older adults of Caribbean origin. The aim of this study was to evaluate iron status and describe dietary components and correlates of iron status in Hispanic older adults and a neighborhood based comparison group of non-Hispanic white older adults. 604 Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults (59-91 years) from the Massachusetts Hispanic Elders Study were included in this analysis. We examined physiological markers of iron status as well as dietary factors in relation to iron status. Dietary intake was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Our results revealed that Hispanics had significantly lower geometric mean serum ferritin (74.1 ug/L vs. 100 ug/L; P<0.001), lower hemoglobin concentrations (137 +/- 13 vs. 140 +/- 12 g/L; P<0.01), higher prevalence of anemia (11.5 vs. 7.3%; P<0.05), and suboptimal hemoglobin concentrations (<125 g/L) for this age group (21.4 vs. 13.3%; P<0.05). Iron deficiency anemia was higher (7.2% vs. 2.3%; P<0.05) in Hispanic women. Hispanics had lower mean intakes of total iron, vitamin C, supplemental vitamin C, and total calcium than did non-Hispanic whites. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, alcohol use, smoking, total energy intake, inflammation, diabetes, and liver disease, intake of heme iron from red meat was positively associated and dietary calcium was negatively associated with serum ferritin. This population of Hispanic older adults was significantly more likely than their non-Hispanic white neighbors to suffer from anemia and poorer iron status, particularly among women. Cultural variation in dietary patterns may influence iron availability and body iron stores and contribute to an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia among some Hispanic older adults.