Women found to be at risk of iron deficiency

IRISH women are likely to be at risk of iron deficiency and may have borderline calcium deficiency.

The SLÁN: Survey of Attitudes, Lifestyle and Nutrition shows that almost one-in-five women (18%) had iron intake levels below the average requirement, and 9% of women had calcium intake levels below the average requirement.

The study of 10,000 people nationwide shows the intake of folate, essential for women of child-bearing years as it has been linked with reduced risk of neural tube defects, is below the average requirement for almost one-in-five women.