# The investigation and analysis of nutritional iron deficiency anaemia in Kazakh children

## TL;DR

This study found that 15.7% of Kazakh children in Barkol County suffer from iron deficiency anemia, with diet and lack of supplements being key factors.

## Contribution

The study identifies ethnic disparities and specific dietary risk factors for IDA in Kazakh children.

## Key findings

- The overall prevalence of IDA was 15.7%, higher than the national average in China.
- Kazakh children had a significantly higher prevalence of anemia than Han children.
- Lower meat and aquatic product intake, and lack of iron supplements were key risk factors.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate nutritional iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Kazakh children.

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 197 children aged 3–14 years were randomly selected from three townships in Barkol County, and the basic information and diet of the sample children were collected and analysed.

The overall prevalence of IDA was 15.7%, which is considerably higher than the national average for children in China. Kazakh children had a significantly higher prevalence of anaemia than their Han counterparts (p = 0.040). To ensure statistical stability given the sample size, a parsimonious multivariate logistic regression model was employed. This model identified lower intake of meat [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.92], lower intake of aquatic products (aOR = 0.35), and failure to take iron supplements (aOR = 5.10) as independent risk factors for IDA.

The findings indicate a substantial burden of IDA among Kazakh children in this region, highlighting a significant ethnic disparity. The primary modifiable risk factors are dietary, centring on insufficient consumption of bioavailable iron from animal sources and aquatic products, coupled with a lack of iron supplementation. The counterintuitive association between soybean/nut intake and IDA risk warrants further investigation. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions and health education programmes focused on improving dietary iron quality and supplementation practices in this population.