Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in Japan
This study investigated the percentage of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iron deficiency (ID) among 71 elite female athletes at a Japanese university and assessed their dietary habits. IDA was identified in 9.9% (<i>n</i> = 7) of participants, and only 22.5% (<i>n</i> = 16)...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Sports |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/220 |
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| author | Hiromi Inaba Haruo Hanawa Fumi Hoshino Mutsuaki Edama Go Omori |
| author_facet | Hiromi Inaba Haruo Hanawa Fumi Hoshino Mutsuaki Edama Go Omori |
| author_sort | Hiromi Inaba |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated the percentage of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iron deficiency (ID) among 71 elite female athletes at a Japanese university and assessed their dietary habits. IDA was identified in 9.9% (<i>n</i> = 7) of participants, and only 22.5% (<i>n</i> = 16) self-reported dietary practices aimed at preventing or managing ID/IDA. Notably, 52.1% (<i>n</i> = 37) of the athletes exhibited IDA or ID but lacked an appropriate dietary approach. Moreover, even among those who reported an intentional dietary approach to the prevention or management of ID/IDA, the intake of iron- and vitamin C-rich foods was insufficient, limiting the effectiveness of their efforts. These findings highlight a gap between awareness and effective practice, indicating that many female athletes in Japan, despite being at elevated risk, do not follow evidence-based dietary strategies for preventing or treating ID/IDA. Targeted nutritional education and routine screening of iron status are strongly recommended for this population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd531fcef4664e7c942fa000e18e9c8e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4663 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sports |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd531fcef4664e7c942fa000e18e9c8e2025-08-20T03:32:28ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632025-07-0113722010.3390/sports13070220Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in JapanHiromi Inaba0Haruo Hanawa1Fumi Hoshino2Mutsuaki Edama3Go Omori4Athlete Support Research Center, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, Niigata 950-3198, JapanAthlete Support Research Center, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, Niigata 950-3198, JapanAthlete Support Research Center, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, Niigata 950-3198, JapanAthlete Support Research Center, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, Niigata 950-3198, JapanAthlete Support Research Center, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, Niigata 950-3198, JapanThis study investigated the percentage of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iron deficiency (ID) among 71 elite female athletes at a Japanese university and assessed their dietary habits. IDA was identified in 9.9% (<i>n</i> = 7) of participants, and only 22.5% (<i>n</i> = 16) self-reported dietary practices aimed at preventing or managing ID/IDA. Notably, 52.1% (<i>n</i> = 37) of the athletes exhibited IDA or ID but lacked an appropriate dietary approach. Moreover, even among those who reported an intentional dietary approach to the prevention or management of ID/IDA, the intake of iron- and vitamin C-rich foods was insufficient, limiting the effectiveness of their efforts. These findings highlight a gap between awareness and effective practice, indicating that many female athletes in Japan, despite being at elevated risk, do not follow evidence-based dietary strategies for preventing or treating ID/IDA. Targeted nutritional education and routine screening of iron status are strongly recommended for this population.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/220anemiafemale athleteeating habitshemoglobin |
| spellingShingle | Hiromi Inaba Haruo Hanawa Fumi Hoshino Mutsuaki Edama Go Omori Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in Japan Sports anemia female athlete eating habits hemoglobin |
| title | Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in Japan |
| title_full | Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in Japan |
| title_fullStr | Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in Japan |
| title_short | Iron Deficiency Prevention and Dietary Habits Among Elite Female University Athletes in Japan |
| title_sort | iron deficiency prevention and dietary habits among elite female university athletes in japan |
| topic | anemia female athlete eating habits hemoglobin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/220 |
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