OBJECTIVE: To analyze the burden of dietary iron deficiency in China from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Using the results of the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD 2021) study, this study analyzed the prevalence and disability adjusted life years (DALY) of dietary iron deficiency in China from 1990 to 2021. RESULTS: In 2021, the prevalence number of dietary iron deficiency was 795,910,75 (76,187,661-82,382,158), which decreased by 40.86% compared to that in 1990. The number of DALY were 1,689,209 (1,119,315-2,445,991), which decreased by 47.15% compared to that in 1990. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) of dietary iron deficiency showed a downward trend from 1990 to 2021 (P <
0.05). CONCLUSION: From 1990 to 2021, the burden of dietary iron deficiency in China showed a downward trend, with the burden of females having a significantly higher than males, and the burden in females aged 20 to 49 years old increases significantly.