Anemia as a Nutrition Status Indicator Among A Head Start Cohort

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutrition-related developmental risk factor among Head Start children. National Head Start anemia rates reflect the incidence of anemia as high as 20%. The Head Start Program provides comprehensive health services to each child enrolled including general health screening, hearing and vision screening, nutrition intervention, dental services, and mental health services. In a southeastern Head Start program with 1110 children, 554 girls (49.9%) and 556 boys (50.1%), 68 (7.5%) of the children were identified as anemic as defined by a hemoglobin level of 11.0g/dL or less or hemato-crit level of 32% or less. Upon follow-up, improvements in iron status were noted among all of the subjects with the exception of those with medical anemias (i.e. sickle cell disease, etc.) as determined by past medical history. This retrospective analysis has implications for future data collection techniques and for nutrition and health intervention criteria used by Head Start programs. This study also provides the framework for additional examinations of health and nutrition outcomes in Head Start programs by examining assessment and intervention criteria within the context of Head Start regulations.