Your Constant Tiredness Might Not Be Stress. South African Researchers Are Studying Why.

Fatigue, poor concentration, and declining physical performance get blamed on stress and busy schedules constantly. Researchers at North-West University’s Centre of Excellence for Nutrition say for many young women, the real cause may be iron deficiency, and current guidance may not reflect their actual circumstances.

The RAYON study is investigating long-term iron absorption and losses among young South African women, both with and without overweight or obesity. Dr. Mary Uyoga, a nutritional epidemiologist leading the research, points to a specific local complication: two out of three young South African women live with overweight or obesity, a condition that may trigger low-grade chronic inflammation capable of limiting how effectively the body absorbs and uses iron. That creates a genuinely confusing clinical picture, women who may be simultaneously overweight and iron deficient, a combination current guidance, built largely on international data, doesn’t clearly address.

The consequences extend well past feeling tired. Uyoga says low iron status can impair concentration and memory, reduce physical performance, and weaken immune function, effects that can appear before deficiency progresses to full anaemia. For pregnancy specifically, entering with inadequate iron stores raises the risk of severe anaemia and poor maternal and infant outcomes, directly relevant to the maternal health gaps we’ve covered in Nigeria. Because iron deficiency symptoms are vague and easily dismissed, and nutritional problems generally receive less attention than more visible health issues, Uyoga says it often goes undetected until it’s already affecting daily life.

What You Can Do

• Don’t automatically attribute persistent fatigue and poor concentration to stress alone, especially if you’re a young woman. Ask your healthcare provider about iron status specifically.
• If you’re planning a pregnancy, get your iron levels checked beforehand rather than after conception; entering pregnancy with adequate iron stores measurably reduces complication risk.

This article is for general health education and does not replace professional medical advice. If you’re experiencing persistent fatigue or concentration issues, consult a qualified healthcare provider.