Abstract: Objective To determine risk factors associated with anemia among women in the southern part of Jiangsu province,and to provide entry points for intervention.Methods 1100 healthy women aged 18~50 years were randomly selected and screened for anemia according to WHO criteria.The study was done in Taicang and Chanzhou.Every case was matched with a control according to age and hemoglobin.The participants were interviewed by health workers using structured questionnaire.Food intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire.Results The sample included 303 cases.Anemia was significantly associated with menstruation,number of miscarriage/abortion,body mass index(BMI),intake of vegetables,Fe,Cu in univariate analysis.Among them,the two most important factor were body mass index(BMI)OR1.72,95%CI(0.93-3.28),the in take of FeOR0.21,95%CI(01.2-0.35).M ultivariate analysis showed that number of miscarriage/abortion,body mass index(BMI),the varieties of vegetables,the intake of vitamin A,Fe,Cu were independently related to risk of anemia.Conclusion Both diet and lifestyle factors were associated with anemia among women in the south of Jiangsu province.Intervention should focus on healthy eating and lifestyle.Further study on the association between inflammation/infection and anemia was needed.