Anaemia in adolescent women: A priority for the nutrition agenda in Mexico. A comparison of data from the ENSANUT 2012 and 2018–2019 surveys

Abstract

The risk of anaemia in adolescence increases due to accelerated growth. This study aims to: (1) estimate the prevalence of anaemia in 2012 and 2018–2019 (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutricion – ENSANUT [n = 5841 in 2012 and n = 2380 in 2018–2019]) in non‐pregnant, Mexican adolescent women aged 12–19 years, and the changes in prevalence over this period according to sociodemographic, health and nutrition characteristics; (2) estimate the associations between anaemia and sociodemographic, health and nutrition characteristics in each year and overall, in non‐pregnant Mexican adolescent women. Anaemia was defined as capillary haemoglobin <12 g/dL. The distribution of characteristics and their changes between 2012 and 2018–2019 were described. The covariate‐adjusted prevalence of anaemia in 2012 and 2018–2019 and the changes over that period were estimated from a multiple log‐binomial regression model and the factors associated with anaemia were assessed in each survey year and in both years combined. The prevalence of anaemia was 7.7% in 2012 and 13.1% in 2018–2019 (69% increase, Prevalence Ratio: PR = 1.69; 95%CI: 1.35, 2.13). The covariate‐adjusted prevalence of anaemia increased from 6.9% to 10.5% in the overall population (PR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.19, 1.96), and increased considerably in the age group 12–14 years (PR = 1.94, 95%CI: 1.36, 2.75), and in the northern region (PR = 3.68, 95%CI: 2.55, 5.32). Those receiving iron supplements or school breakfasts did not register a significant increase. A higher household wellbeing status and older age were associated with a lower prevalence of anaemia. Anaemia in non‐pregnant adolescent women continues to be a public health problem. To improve the development and health of adolescent women in Mexico and to pave the way to a healthy pregnancy for the next generation, the causes of anaemia should be identified.