Food Transition and Nutritional Anemia in Non-Pregnant and Pregnant Adolescent Females

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency (FeD) and vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents. A cross-sectional study was made of non-pregnant (n=78) and pregnant (n=280) female adolescents according to their zone of origin (urban, peri-urban and rural). Clinical, nutritional and biochemical evaluations were performed. Anemia in adolescents was considered when Hb<120g/L; <110g/L (I and III trimester) and <105g/L (II trimester); FeD=ferritin<12 mu g/L; VAD=serum retinol<20 mu g/dL; risk of VAD=20-30 mu g/dL. Data was analyzed using the SAS program. The prevalence of anemia, FeD, VAD and risk for VAD (56.7%; 48.2%; 14% and 30.2%, respectively) was higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant female adolescents (47.4%; 38.4%; 1.2% and 11.5%, respectively). Pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents from rural and peri-urban zone showed a higher prevalence of anemia and FeD (p<0.05). Conclusion: Non-urban adolescents are an at-risk group for nutritional anemia and require prevention and control strategies as well as multiple nutrient supplementation.