Obese U.S. youngsters suffer iron deficiency: study

A new study shows that many obese U.S. children suffer from iron deficiency. It is believed that diets high in calories but low in nutrients may be the primary cause of both the iron deficiency and obesity in the children. The study lists “excessive milk or juice intake, prolonged bottle-feeding, snacking and junk food” as the possible contributing factors. Iron is present in all cells and has several vital functions, including the transport of oxygen to the tissues from the lungs in the form of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency is the most common form of nutritional deficiency and if present in infancy and early childhood can lead to learning and behavior problems. In the study of 1,641 children aged 1 to 3, iron deficiency was found in 20 percent of those who were overweight and only 7 percent of those who were not.

This article can be viewed at the following link and is interesting as it outlines another problem brought about by the less than nutritious, typical American diet.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN2934050920070904