A recent study published in BMJ Military Health has highlighted a significant rise in iron deficiency among female military recruits following five months of basic training. Researchers reported that the proportion of female recruits affected by iron deficiency more than doubled during this period, soaring from 25% to 55%. This alarming trend underscores the need for urgent attention and targeted interventions to enhance iron levels among this demographic.
Conducted at the Command and Control Regiment in Enköping, the study focused on surveys of conscripts undergoing training. Initially involving 112 women and 148 men, subsequent measurements included 58 women and 104 men who volunteered for follow-up sampling. The findings revealed that iron deficiency rates among female conscripts mirrored those seen in broader society for their age group, with approximately 25% affected initially. Similarly, the incidence of iron deficiency anemia, a condition resulting from low iron levels, stood at 8%.
The study noted a notable disparity in iron deficiency rates between genders, as the proportion among male conscripts increased marginally from 4% to 7% over the study period.
While hemoglobin levels, crucial for oxygen transport in blood, generally rose throughout the training period, levels of ferritin—a marker of iron stores—declined significantly in both women and men. The decrease in ferritin was particularly pronounced among women.
The research also identified a correlation between high physical fitness upon enlistment and a reduced likelihood of requiring adapted service, which signifies reduced participation in intense training sessions due to injury or illness. This adaptation was considered a risk factor potentially leading to discontinuation of training.
The collaborative effort involved the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) in Stockholm, the Swedish Armed Forces Center for Defense Medicine in Gothenburg, and the Command and Control Regiment in Enköping.
“This study sheds light on the prevalence of iron deficiency before and after basic military training in Sweden, underscoring its broader implications beyond the Armed Forces,” commented Ingrid Larsson, Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition at the University of Gothenburg and Dietitian at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, emphasizing the critical role of dietary diversity and iron-rich foods in maintaining health.
Iron deficiency is known to manifest in symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and headaches, and is influenced primarily by diet composition and menstrual blood loss in women. Larsson stressed the importance of addressing iron status comprehensively, given its fundamental impact on overall health.
As discussions on this issue gain momentum, the study advocates for proactive measures to mitigate iron deficiency risks among female military recruits, ensuring optimal health and performance during and after training.
