Boys and girls both need iron for growth during adolescence, and girls have a continuing need to replace iron lost during menstruation. Girls often enter their active reproductive years in late adolescence with poor iron status. Because pregnancy requires more iron for increased blood production, an iron deficit can result in negative reproductive consequences. 17 Anemia during pregnancy is associated with prematurity and low birth weight. Anemia is also related to perinatal and maternal mortality.
Early adolescence is a critical period for addressing anemia in both girls and boys.
Adolescents can often be reached through educational and social activities. Existing settings such as schools and health facilities may offer opportunities to integrate nutrition education and actual services to reduce anemia. Nutrition awareness and education are particularly important given adolescents' poor knowledge of anemia, diet and health generally and of iron-rich foods specifically. Health facilities - health centers, clinics and hospitals can offer information about improving iron status. In practice, nutritional education can be addressed within any setting or program that deals with reproductive and other health issues.