The dietary iron intake was studied in 50 volunteers sample of young adults in Bologna neighbourhood; thirty men, mean age 28.9, and 20 women, mean age 30.4. A structured questionnaire was proposed individually by a skilled dietary interviewer. The mean dietary iron daily intake results similar to that found in western industrialised countries, as reported in previous studies, respectively 15.1 mg and 14.0 in men and women. This study reveals a lower percentage of animal origin dietary iron than in northern and central Europe in both sexes, as previously reported (male: 32.8%; female: 27.3%), furthermore the iron intake per kcal was markedly lower (male: 4.91/1000 kcal, female: 5.97) than the level of 7 mg/1000 kcal reported for those countries. The authors argue that the described dietary habit can lead to iron loss balance, mostly in women whose iron intake is far lower than one recommended by LARN (Recommended daily dietary allowances by National Nutrition Italian Institute). It is considered the increasing chance of iron therapy need in women, particularly during long-lasting hypocaloric diets.