An Intervention Study to Combat Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Adolescent Girls - Food Fortification Strategy

摘要

The study aimed at assessing the impact of nutrition education and intervention with a novel iron rich fortified beet-root extract among adolescent (12-18yrs) girls on the haemoglobin level and clinical symptoms related to nutritional iron deficiencyanaemia. 80 study participants (Haemoglobin <9gm/dl) were randomly assigned to two study groups. 150ml of fortified beetroot extract was served to each of the interventional subject on every alternate days for three months(45days). Control group was served with a placebo. Nutrition education was given to the study participants(n = 80). Haemoglobin(cyanmethaemoglobin) and clinical assessment on nutritional iron deficiency anaemia assessed . one way anova and students paired't' test was performed. Hypothesis was tested at 95 per cent confidence interval. Results: Conjunctival- paleness declined from seventy five percent (n=15) at the pre-test (13-15yrs) level to 5 per cent(n=l),with a significant (t = 18.47, p< .0001) impact(16-18yrs) in the mean haemoglobin level. Conclusion: Fortified beet-root extract intervention had high impact on the nutritional status and blood profile. School girls model was found to be an effective intervention strategy to reach the susceptible population.