Iron deficiency anemia impairs cognitive performance, physical capacity, and thermoregulation. Recent evidence suggests that these functional impairments are also evident in subclinical nonanemic iron deficiency. Very little is known about the relevance of the latter to the health of blacks, who have been shown to have the highest prevalence of iron deficiency among all ethnic/racial groups in the United States, and other minorities. The Third Annual Nutrition Workshop was intended to fill this and other related important gaps. These conference proceedings include papers on the following topics: "Functional Significance of Iron Deficiency"; "Dietary Habits of Blacks and Other Ethnic Minorities in the U.S. with Special References to Iron Status"; "Iron Deficiency Diagnosis";"Dietary Factors Influencing Bioavailability of Dietary Iron"; "Maternal Iron Deficiency and Pregnancy Outcome"; "Iron Deficiency: Pediatric Epidemiology"; "Iron Deficiency Coexisting with Sickel Cell Anemia"; "Iron Deficiency, Thyroid Function, and Thermoregulation"; "Immunity and Infection in Iron Deficiency"; "Iron Overload in Different Population Groups"; "Malnutrition, Work Performance and the Role of Iron"; "Iron in the Central Nervous System"; "Relationship of Brain Iron to Dopaminergic Neurotransmission and to the Genesis of Parkinson's Disease"; "Iron Deficiency: Long-Term Effects on Learning"; "Iron Deficiency and Childhood Lead Poisoning"; and "Iron Deficiency--Research Priorities." (IAH)