A Study of anaemia and nutritive adequacies of the rural school children of district Wardha (Maharashtra)
1984
Malhotra, A.K. | Rao, N. Prahlad
An investigation was carried out among school children in rural Sevagram of district Wardha to determine the prevalence of anemia and its relationship to nutrient intake. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level less than 12 grams per 100 ml. Diet surveys based on 24-hour recalls were used to estimate the nutrient content of the diet (particularly calories, protein, and iron) and were compared to recommended daily allowances for Indians. Hemoglobin values were determined for 496 children, aged 6-14 years; diet surveys were conducted on every 5th child in the sample. Two-thirds of the children had hemoglobin levels below 12 grams per 100 ml. Diets were based mainly on millets and pulses and were below recommended intakes for green leafy vegetables, milk, fruits, and fats and oils. Protein intakes were adequate in children 6-9 years of age, but were low in the diets of 10-15 year olds. Iron intakes were adequate for all groups except 13-15 year old females, but the predominant iron source was millet, for which the iron absorption is 1.4 percent. Total calories were inadequate for all sex and age groups, ranging from 33 to 39 percent below recommendations. Differences in intakes of calories, protein, and iron were significant between those with hemoglobin levels greater than and less than 12 g/100ml for some age group s. A positive association was noted between increased nutrient intake (calories, protein, iron) and hemoglobin levels, which was significant for some age groups. (aj)
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