Abstract:
The study entitled, "Effect of iron and vitamin supplementation on iron profile
of anemic adolescent girls", was conducted to assess the magnitude of iron deficiency
anemia among adolescent girls; to find out the direct and indirect effects of causative
factors and to evaluate the relative effect of supplementation of iron with vitamins on
the iron status of anemic adolescent females.
The study was limited to Neyyattinkara, Nedumangadu and Trivandurn Taluks
of Trivandrum district. Rapid assessment technique was administered to determine
haemoglobin and to indentify 225 adolescent girls suffering from iron deficiency
anemia (with Hb ::::;; 12g1dl).
Socio economic status of the girls was determined by using a suitably structured
schedule while nutritional variables responsible for the incidence of anemia were
determined through assessing their mean food intake by 24 hour recall method and
by ascertaining their anthropometric measurements using universally accepted techniques.
Clinical examination was conducted to assess the health variables responsible for iron
deficiency anemia.
A metabolic experiment of two months duration was conducted to find the
effect of iron and vitamin supplementation on iron profile of the moderately anemic
girls. For this, the basal diet which gave RDA of nutrients was supplemented by 60 mg iron
and 500 ug folic acid, 600 /-lg equivalent vitamin A, 1.2 mg equivalent vitamin B~ and
~
40 mg equivalent vitamin C in different treatment groups either in the form of tablets
351
Supplements in the form of tablets produced highest and rapid changes in
haematological and iron profile while the greatest positive changes in growth and
physical endurance were observed when the supplements were given in the form of
food. Hence for proper iron nutriture, iron source with high bioavailable iron is necessary
along with balanced intake of other nutrients.
