Physical Fitness in Relation to Energy and Iron Status of Female College Students

A nutritional survey was conducted on 150 female college students (75 boarders and 75 day scholars) aged 18 to 23 years at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India. The mean weight, mid-upper-arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were below normal, but the mean height and body fat were in the normal range. The body mass index showed that 50% of the subjects were normal, 21% were low normal weight, and 21% had a mild energy deficiency. The average daily consumptions of energy and of iron were 1,776 ± 22 kcal and 14.5 ± 0.2 mg, respectively; both were inadequate. The daily total energy expenditure was 1,824 ± 9 kcal, yielding a negative energy balance of 48 ± 10 kcal/day. The average haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were below normal, while serum iron was in the low normal range. Low iron intake and haemoglobin levels confirmed an unsatisfactory iron status of the subjects. The combined deficiency of energy and iron appeared to have a worse effect on physical fitness than energy or iron deficiency alone.