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. 2023 Apr 24;13(1):6631.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33636-8.

Factors affecting the micronutrient status of adolescent girls living in complex agro-aquatic ecological zones of Bangladesh

Gulshan Ara  1   2 , David C Little  3 , Abdullah-Al Mamun  4 , Baukje de Roos  5 , Eleanor Grieve  6 , Mansura Khanam  7 , S M Tafsir Hasan  7 , Santhia Ireen  8 , Samira Dilruba Ali  7 , Anika Bushra Boitchi  7 , Marjoleine A Dijkhuizen  9 , Tahmeed Ahmed  7 , Nanna Roos  9
Affiliations

Factors affecting the micronutrient status of adolescent girls living in complex agro-aquatic ecological zones of Bangladesh

Gulshan Ara et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Inadequate intake of both macro and micronutrients is the major determinant of micronutrient deficiencies in adolescent girls. This study assessed multiple micronutrient status including vitamin D, iron, vitamin A, and urinary iodine concentration among adolescent girls through two seasonal cross-sectional surveys conducted during dry and wet seasons. Mixed-effects linear and logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess associations between micronutrient status, salinity and seasonality. The mean age of the girls was 14 years. Vitamin (OH)D insufficiency was significantly higher in freshwater areas in wet season compared to dry season (wet season: 58% and dry season: 30%, P < 0.001). In wet season, risk of vitamin (OH)D insufficiency was three times higher compared to dry season (AOR: 3.03, 95% CI 1.71, 5.37, P < 0.001). The odds of vitamin (OH)D insufficiency was 11 times higher in fresh water areas compared to high saline areas (AOR: 11.51, 95% CI 3.40, 38.93, P < 0.001). The girls had higher risk of iron deficiency in wet season. Despite the environment being enriched with micronutrient-contained aquatic food, adolescent girls in coastal areas experience different micronutrient deficiencies. The high prevalence of vitamin (OH)D insufficiency in freshwater locations and seasonal iron deficiency in high saline areas needs attention.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic diagram of stratified sampling and the two seasonal survey rounds.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Nutritional status of adolescent girls by the salinity and seasonality. BMI-for-age of adolescent girls was measured during dry (August to September 2017) and wet (April to May 2018) season. Ref: Underweight (< -2SD >), Normal weight (-2 SD to + 1 SD), and Overweight (> + 1 SD). Dietary diversity score ≥ 5 (in last 24 h) among adolescent girls. Statistical significance (P < 0.005) has been denoted by asterisk: *Pearson’s chi-square test. Note: Different agro-aquatic ecological zone- HS, High saline; MS, Medium saline; LS, Low saline; FW, Fresh water, and PP, Processing plant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Micronutrient deficiency of adolescent girls by seasonality and salinity. Vitamin (OH) D deficiency (< 30 nmol/L), vitamin (OH) D insufficiency (< 50 nmol/L), Iron Deficiency (Ferritin < 15 ug/L) and VAD (Serum retinol < 30 ug/dL). Statistical significance (P < 0.005) has been denoted by asterisk: *Pearson’s chi-square test. Note: Different agro-aquatic ecological zone- HS, High saline; MS, Medium saline; LS, Low saline; FW, Fresh water, and PP, Processing plant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Percentage of animal source food consumption, (B) Percentage of major types of fish consumed (in last 7 days). Statistical significance (P < 0.005) has been denoted by asterisk. * Pearson’s chi-square test. Note: Different agro-aquatic ecological zone- HS, High saline; MS, Medium saline; LS, Low saline; FW, Fresh water, and PP, Processing plant.
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