Strong as iron
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat. Even though little kids are not strong as iron, they should be strong in iron – having all they need of the mineral that helps to keep their brains developing as they should. But a researcher says 1- to 3-year-olds who are overweight are more likely to be low in iron. Jane Brotanek of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center bases that on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her study was in the journal Pediatrics. Brotanek found about 20 percent of overweight toddlers – but only 7 percent of normal-weight kids – were low in iron. Brotanek says there’s a way to avoid it: ``What is most important is healthy eating habits during infancy and early childhood, especially avoiding excessive milk and juice intake, and prolonged bottle feeding together with providing a diversified iron-rich diet.’’ (11 seconds) Learn more at hhs.gov. HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss. Last revised: May, 26 2008 | 
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