Prevalence and Risk Factors of Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Women of Reproductive Age in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

BACKGROUND: Women of reproductive age are at elevated risk of iron deficiency (ID) and anemia; in the United States, those of Hispanic/Latino background are at especially high risk. Causes of ID and anemia and variations in risk within Hispanic/Latino women of reproductive age are not well described.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize ID and anemia and their risk factors/markers in Hispanic/Latina women.

METHODS: Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) were used. HCHS/SOL enrolled participants in 2008-2011 at 4 sites: Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego; 5386 were non-pregnant women ages 18-49 y. Primary outcomes were ID (ferritin

RESULTS: Almost half (42%) of participants were of Mexican background, 15% of Cuban background, and

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of ID and anemia were high among HCHS/SOL women and differed by field center and background. These differences highlight the importance of characterizing nutritional risk by background within Hispanic/Latino women.