Nearly six percent of Hongkongers suffer from iron deficiency, according to a Department of Health study.

On Tuesday, the department said it arrived at the figure after research involving 2,000 people aged between 15 and 84.

It found that iron deficiency, which can cause tiredness among other things, is more prevalent among girls and women, with 17.5 percent of those between 15 and 49 suffering from the issue.

“[With] regular menstruation there is blood loss, with blood loss there is iron loss, therefore women of reproductive age have higher iron requirements and are more prone to iron deficiency,” said Dr Rita Ho, head of the department's non-communicable disease branch.

The department said 10.6 percent of females aged 15 to 49 have the more serious problem of iron deficiency anaemia, which can cause further health issues including fatigue and shortness of breath. Only 0.3 percent of males have the condition.

These figures are similar to those in other high income places, such as Canada and the United States, the department said.

It said people can increase their iron intake by eating fish, eggs and beans, as well as up to 500 grammes of red meat per week.

However, the department advised against iron supplements.

“There is enough iron absorption [from meals] and the iron supplement is not necessary. There is too much iron in the supplements, there may be gastrointestinal side symptoms such as constipation,” Ho said.