Overweight Toddlers Often Iron Deficient

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A new study has shown a previously unnoticed link between obesity and iron deficiency in preschool aged children. A low iron count can cause developmental delays, according to The Denver Post. Further reason to teach and encourage healthy eating habits among 1-3 year olds.

The researchers found that 20 percent of obese toddlers have iron deficiency, compared with 7 percent of normal-weight toddlers. Lack of iron reduces the amount of oxygen carried through the body by the blood and can cause anemia.

Much of the blame is being laid on parents who allow their toddlers to drink milk and juice from bottles, but don't introduce iron rich foods like meat, beans and spinach. Toddlers who drink from bottles tend not to eat as much solid food.

Since day-care centers tend to pay more attention to nutrition, children who attend them are 50% less likely to have the problem.

Hispanic toddlers were more likely than whites and blacks to be obese and not in day care, she [study co-author Dr. Jane Brotanek] said. Twelve percent of Hispanic toddlers were iron-deficient, compared with 6 percent of white kids and 6 percent of black kids.

I find this very interesting. Particularly the part about developmental delays being linked to iron deficiency. I have an Autistic son who was diagnosed when he was a year old has having a low iron count. I'm not blaming the Autism on an iron deficiency, but I can't help but wonder if there's a link.