The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) has launched the latest in its series of Mind the Gap literature pieces, highlighting the role of iron supplementation in reducing anemia among women, who are twice as likely as males to be diagnosed with this condition. The online resource, entitled “Precious Metal: the role of iron in the global fight against anemia,” focuses on the World Health Organization (WHO)’s goal to reduce anemia by 50% across the globe by the year 2025.
 
Anemia is a condition in which the size and number of red blood cells (the hemoglobin concentration) falls below a healthy threshold, which impairs the ability of the blood to circulate oxygen throughout the body. This can have an effect on physical capacity, work performance, and cognitive function.
 
Anemia affects a half-billion women of reproductive age worldwide, and it is especially concerning among pregnant women as it carries a greater risk of death and disease for the mother and the fetus. 38% of pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 49 were anemic in 2011, globally. Nearly half of all anemia cases are attributed to iron deficiency.
 
According to WHO, a diet containing adequate amounts of bioavailable iron should underpin all efforts for prevention and control of anemia, however, iron consumption is lower than it needs to be for pregnant women in many parts of the world. WHO recommends iron supplementation for menstruating women living anywhere with a prevalence of anemia 20% or higher, and for non-anemic pregnant women living in areas where the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is below 20%.
 
“Reducing anemia by 50% among women of child-bearing age is a global challenge with huge potential health benefits that could impact the lives of millions of women across the world,” Simon Pettman, executive director of IADSA, said. “We trust that this Mind the Gap story will help raise awareness of the importance of the WHO target.”
 
Mind the Gap is a series of stories detailing pressing challenges caused in part or in whole by nutrient deficiencies around the world. It facilitates the sharing of stories related to the benefits of nutrition for a global consumer base, encouraging the filling of nutritional gaps and broadening of scientific knowledge, while promoting current examples set by global nutrition programs.