Department of Nutrition Student Projects
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Submission Date
4-17-2025
Document Type
Undergraduate Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (BSHN)
First Mentor
Andrea Charvet
Keywords
fatigue in reproductive-age women, iron metabolism, nutritional interventions, menstrual cycle, iron loss, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, heme vs non-heme iron, bioavailability enhancers, dietary adherence, non-pharmacological fatigue treatment, college women nutrition, micronutrient deficiency, iron absorption inhibitors, iron deficiency and cognition
Abstract
Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Participants will be screened for non-anemic iron-deficiency (NAID) using standard blood tests. Adherence to the dietary intervention will be monitored through weekly food logs and follow-up check-ins with a dietitian. Statistical analyses will compare pre- and post-intervention fatigue scores using a repeated-measures ANOVA, followed by post-hoc analysis to determine group differences. It is hypothesized that adherence to an iron-rich diet will significantly reduce fatigue levels compared to the control group. If effective, this intervention could support dietary iron as a practical tool for fatigue management. The findings may help inform nutrition interventions, improve dietary recommendations, and enhance overall well-being in this population. Future research should explore the long-term impact of dietary iron intake on fatigue prevention, particularly among women at risk due to menstruation, dietary insufficiencies, or increased physiological demands such as pregnancy or intense physical activity.
NSUWorks Citation
Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, and Sam Miragliatto. 2025. The Impact of an Iron-Rich Diet on Fatigue in Menstruating Women with Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency. Capstone. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, . (27)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_nutrition/27.
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Behavioral Medicine Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Counselor Education Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons, Food Studies Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Homeopathy Commons, Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Commons, Medical Anatomy Commons, Medical Biochemistry Commons, Medical Neurobiology Commons, Medical Nutrition Commons, Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy Commons, Neurosciences Commons, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Other Medical Sciences Commons, Pain Management Commons, Physiological Processes Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons, Primary Care Commons, Reproductive and Urinary Physiology Commons