Final answer:
Women aged 19-50 are at higher risk than men for iron deficiency anemia, particularly due to menstruation. They are also at risk for faster bone mass loss starting around 50, due to menopause. Adequate intake of iron, calcium, and vitamin D is essential for preventing these deficiencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women who are between the ages of 19-50 years are at a higher risk than men of the same age for iron deficiency anemia, particularly due to blood lost during menstruation. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, along with premenopausal women, may need extra calcium and iron. In the United States, 20% of women of childbearing age have iron-deficiency anemia, compared with only 2% of adult men. This highlights the significant difference in nutrient deficiency risks faced by women and men, often due to physiological differences such as menstruation and the demands of pregnancy.
Moreover, Figures like 6.23 indicate that women also lose bone mass at a quicker rate than men beginning around the age of 50, which is typically the age when women undergo menopause. With the reduction of estrogen, a hormone crucial in promoting bone health, women's risk of developing osteoporosis increases, therefore indicating a greater necessity for early intervention with proper nutrition and exercise to maximize bone mass. Ensuring adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is essential, especially before the age of 30.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends that all women who might become pregnant consume at least 400 µg/day of folate to prevent deficiencies related to pregnancy. Additionally, because of lower food and milk consumption, women often do not get enough calcium, especially critical during adolescence and early adulthood when bone density is developing. It is important for women to increase their intake of calcium-rich foods such as dairy products or leafy greens to meet the recommended daily amount of calcium.