Chaleelak ThongprasertCarol HutchinsonWarapone SatheannoppakaoMathuros TipayamongkholgulMahidol University2019-08-232019-08-232018-09-01European Journal of Nutrition. Vol.57, No.6 (2018), 2249-226014366215143662072-s2.0-85023172601https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/46337© 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany. Purpose: To compare intakes of dietary iron and enhancers and inhibitors of iron absorption between overweight/obese (OW/OB) adolescents and their normal weight (NW) peers, and between parental education levels stratified by weight status. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study of adolescents (n 121 OW/OB and n 102 NW) aged 12–14 years, attending a secondary school in Nonthaburi province, Thailand. Socio-demographic data were obtained from participants’ parents using a questionnaire. Participants recorded their intakes for 3 non-consecutive days, using a prospective food record. Results: Compared with NW adolescents, OW/OB adolescents consumed more total protein and animal protein after adjustment for energy intake (both p = 0.047). OW/OB adolescents whose mothers were less educated consumed more total iron and available iron after adjustment for energy intake, compared with their OW/OB peers whose mothers were more educated (p = 0.045 and p = 0.040). NW adolescents with more highly educated mothers had higher absolute and energy-adjusted fibre intakes (both p = 0.047). However, NW adolescents of mothers with a high–intermediate level of education consumed less calcium, after adjustment for energy intake (p = 0.028). Conclusions: OW/OB adolescents with less educated mothers had higher energy-adjusted intakes of iron and available iron. Dietary differences in OW/OB adolescents relative to maternal education, and other socioeconomic indicators, should be explored in a nationally representative data set.Mahidol UniversityMedicineNursingArticleSCOPUS10.1007/s00394-017-1501-4