IRON

By the start of college, growth has ceased for most older teens, which explains why the RDA for iron decreases from 11 mg per day for boys 14 to 18 years old to 8 mg per day for men 19 years and older. It’s important to note, however, that the RDA for iron increases to 18 mg per day for women 19 to 50 years of age from the 15 mg per day recommended for adolescent girls.

Iron needs are higher for women than men because of the need to replace iron lost through menstruation. Although nutrition surveys demonstrate that men typically consume iron in excess of their RDA, most women do not meet their RDA for iron. It is estimated that approximately 10% of women 19 to 49 years of age are iron deficient; however, several studies have found that iron deficiency rates are even higher for college-age women. (See Chapter 14 for more about iron.) Suboptimal iron status may result not only in iron-deficiency anemia, but it has also been shown to impair cognitive function.