To determine whether or not adolescent female athletes were more in need of routine dietary iron supplements than their nonathlete peers, the iron status of 32 athletes and 31 nonathletes was assessed. The athletes were track-team members in the middle of their season. Hemoglobin, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were evaluated, as well as the amount of dietary iron intake. Athletes had significantly lower serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation (less than 16%) than did nonathletes. Black girls were significantly lower than whites on all three values. There were also a greater number of black girls deficient in serum ferritin. We conclude that athletes may be at greater risk for iron deficiency and, therefore, for iron deficiency anemia; and black adolescents may have an increased prevalence of iron deficiency, with black female athletes being at potentially greater risk for iron deficiency and its possible consequences. We recommend a more sensitive assessment of iron status in female athletes.
Adolescent African Americans