Final answer:
The statement is true; young female athletes are more likely to be iron deficient due to menstruation-related blood loss and other factors that may affect dietary iron intake or absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that iron deficiency is more common in young female athletes than in young male athletes is true. One of the primary reasons for this is that the most common cause of iron-deficiency anemia in young women is blood loss during menstruation. Iron needs for women of childbearing age are often higher due to the loss of iron in the blood during menstrual periods.
Additionally, iron deficiency can result from an inadequate dietary intake of iron, malabsorption from the gastrointestinal tract, or chronic bleeding. It's important for young female athletes to ensure they are getting enough iron in their diets or through supplements if needed, to prevent iron-deficiency anemia.