Factors known to be related to iron deficiency include inadequate iron intake, high demand for iron, blood loss and inadequate iron absorption. Exercise may also affect iron status. Iron deficiency develops gradually, progresses through several stages, and may or may not impact on exercise or work performance depending on the degree of deficiency present, increased iron intake leads to both improved iron status and performance in cases of iron deficiency anemia, but effects of increased intake at lesser degrees of deficiency are not clear. Women who participate in varying levels of activity from health-related activity through competitive sports activity may be at increased risk of some degree of iron deficiency. Thus, women themselves, as well as those who work with active women, should be concerned about iron intake and iron status. When warranted, necessary steps should be taken to improve the iron status of active women by increasing the amount and availability of dietary iron ingested and/or by short-term iron supplementation.
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