Determination of Dietary Status as a Public Health Problem among Rural Women

F. Ansari, M. Sedehi Esfehani and A. Djazayery

Energy, protein and iron intakes and status were investigated in 471 married women, 20-56 years old, selected by 2-stage random sampling, in rural areas in Islamic Republic of Iran. Pre-tested 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire was used to get data on nutrition intakes. Although average total iron intake was acceptable, only 6.4% of women derived at least 4% of their total intake from animal iron. Average energy and protein intakes were inadequate. Fining of this study showed that this group with medium-to-low socioeconomic status should receive particular attention in national health and nutrition planning.