Why Anemia in Teenage Girls Can't Be Left
Anemia is still a health problem in Indonesia that has not been completely addressed. The prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in Indonesia is still high, at 22.7%.
In your mind, maybe anemia is a disease that is not too severe, but you don't get it wrong. Anemia that is not handled properly, especially for young women, can have a long-term impact on themselves and their children in the future. Yes, women will become pregnant and have children, during this pregnancy, teenagers who already suffer from anemia can develop anemia that is more severe when pregnant because the nutritional needs during pregnancy have increased. If it is not addressed immediately, it can endanger him and his baby.
Why do teenage girls risk anemia?
Adolescence is a period where growth occurs quickly, so the nutritional needs of this period also increase. One nutrient whose need is increased is iron. Iron is needed in all body cells and is the basis for physiological processes, such as the formation of hemoglobin (red blood cells) and the function of enzymes.
Women need higher iron intake than men. The Table of Nutrition Adequacy Figures (AKG) says that the iron needs of female adolescents aged 13-29 years is 26 mg, this number is much higher than that of men of their age.
Why? In women, iron intake is not only used to support growth, but is also used to replace the iron that is lost through the blood that comes out every time they menstruate every month. Because of this extremely high iron requirement for women, women are at risk of developing iron deficiency, which can later develop into anemia.
Some risk factors that can cause anemia in adolescents are:
Anemia is still a health problem in Indonesia that has not been completely addressed. The prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in Indonesia is still high, at 22.7%.
In your mind, maybe anemia is a disease that is not too severe, but you don't get it wrong. Anemia that is not handled properly, especially for young women, can have a long-term impact on themselves and their children in the future. Yes, women will become pregnant and have children, during this pregnancy, teenagers who already suffer from anemia can develop anemia that is more severe when pregnant because the nutritional needs during pregnancy have increased. If it is not addressed immediately, it can endanger him and his baby.
Why do teenage girls risk anemia?
Adolescence is a period where growth occurs quickly, so the nutritional needs of this period also increase. One nutrient whose need is increased is iron. Iron is needed in all body cells and is the basis for physiological processes, such as the formation of hemoglobin (red blood cells) and the function of enzymes.
Women need higher iron intake than men. The Table of Nutrition Adequacy Figures (AKG) says that the iron needs of female adolescents aged 13-29 years is 26 mg, this number is much higher than that of men of their age.
Why? In women, iron intake is not only used to support growth, but is also used to replace the iron that is lost through the blood that comes out every time they menstruate every month. Because of this extremely high iron requirement for women, women are at risk of developing iron deficiency, which can later develop into anemia.
Some risk factors that can cause anemia in adolescents are:
- Fast growth
- Insufficient intake of iron-rich foods or food sources of vitamin C
- Take a vegan diet
- Do a diet that limits calorie intake
- Often skipping meals
- Love to do heavy exercise
- Loss of blood during menstruation
What is the impact of anemia on adolescent girls?
The impact of anemia may not be immediately visible, but it can last a long time and affect the lives of the next teenager. Anemia in adolescent girls can have a long impact on themselves and also for the child that she gave birth to later. Make sure teenage iron needs are met at this time to achieve optimal growth.
The impact of anemia is:
- Disruption of growth and development
- Fatigue
- Increases susceptibility to infections because of a decreased immune system
- Reduces function and immune system
- More prone to poisoning
- Disruption of cognitive function
Iron deficiency or anemia that continues into adulthood and until the woman is pregnant can pose a risk to her baby. Teenage girls who are already pregnant and suffer from anemia can increase the risk of premature birth and give birth to babies with low weight.
Therefore, adolescent girls are advised to take iron supplements before becoming pregnant. This iron supplement helps meet the higher iron requirements during pregnancy.
How to prevent anemia?
Anemia can be caused by unmet iron requirements. Therefore, to prevent anemia, you are advised to meet your iron needs by eating food with balanced nutrition every day. So, if you are on a diet, you should still pay attention to your nutritional needs.
You can start from breakfast that contains iron-based foods, such as iron-fortified cereals, bread, or green leafy vegetables. It is important for you to consume as many as 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day to meet your vitamin and mineral needs. Complete your menu with food sources of protein, such as red meat, eggs, nuts, which are also rich in iron.
You are also advised to eat foods rich in vitamin C along with food sources of iron so that the body can absorb iron optimally. Avoid consumption of tea along with foods that contain iron, because the content of tannins in tea can reduce the body's ability to absorb iron. Also, with milk, because milk can also interfere with the absorption of iron in the body.
For those of you who are preparing to get pregnant, maybe taking iron supplements is needed to prevent anemia during pregnancy. You should treat it immediately if you have signs of anemia, such as weakness, fatigue, lethargy, pale skin, and others. Anemia is a disease that is easy to treat if you immediately meet your iron needs.
