Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What condition is characterized by insufficient dietary iron intake?

1. Hemophilia

2. Iron-deficiency anemia

3. Scurvy

4. Osteoporosis

The correct answer is: Iron-deficiency anemia

The condition characterized by insufficient dietary iron intake is iron-deficiency anemia. This occurs when there is not enough iron in the body to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Inadequate iron intake can lead to a decreased production of healthy red blood cells, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. Understanding the role of iron in the body is crucial; it is essential for various bodily functions, particularly for oxygen transport. Therefore, when dietary iron is insufficient, it directly impacts the synthesis of hemoglobin, leading to anemia. The other options represent different health conditions that are not primarily associated with iron deficiency. Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder related to clotting factors; scurvy is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C; and osteoporosis involves a decrease in bone density and is related to deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D, rather than iron.