Overweight toddlers most at risk

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Feb, 2008

Overweight toddlers and those not enrolled in day care are at high risk for iron deficiency, maintain nutritional researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Based on data from a national survey, their study states that 20% of overweight toddlers are iron-deficient, compared to eight percent of those at risk for being overweight, and seven percent of normal-weight toddlers. It also reveals that 10% of toddlers not in day care have iron deficiency, while only about five percent of those who are enrolled do.

Iron deficiency, a common cause of anemia, results in impaired bone marrow and muscle function. Iron-deficiency anemia in infancy and early childhood is associated with behavioral and cognitive delays, impaired learning, decreased school achievement, and lower scores on tests of mental and motor development.

Several other studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of iron deficiency in the U.S., especially among low-income infants and younger children, who may experience food insecurity and have diets that are low in iron. Hispanic toddlers are significantly more likely than white or black toddlers to be overweight and not in day care.