Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | An innovative method for boosting nutrition -Samuel Scott

An innovative method for boosting nutrition -Samuel Scott

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Oct 23, 2018   modified Modified on Oct 23, 2018
-Livemint.com

Distributing biofortified staple foods via government schemes such as Midday Meal can help in the battle against hidden hunger

Iron deficiency and anemia are well-recognized and persistent problems in India, exacting a toll that goes much beyond measurable health problems. Most Indian government initiatives targeting anemia so far have had limited success in achieving large-scale impact.

Solving these problems require an innovative approach that can reach the most affected segment of the population—one that combines ease of access, affordability and scalability within the socio-cultural context. Biofortified nutrient-rich crops, such as iron-rich bajra (pearl millet), paired with an effective adoption and delivery strategy, is a promising approach to fight hidden hunger.

Adolescence is a period of rapid growth, poor dietary habits and, in females, marks the onset of menstruation. Together, these factors lead to a high anemia prevalence in this age group. A 2016 survey of around 8,000 adolescents, conducted by the Population Council in two Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, found that 55% of younger girls (10-14 years), 65% of older girls (15-19 years), 34% of younger boys, and 29% of older boys were anemic. Iron deficiency is thought to be the most common cause of anemia globally, accounting for between 25 and 50% of anemia cases.

To reduce the prevalence and incidence of anemia in adolescents, the Union ministry of health and family welfare launched the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme in 2013 as part of its National Health Mission. Under this scheme, adolescents are provided weekly iron-folic acid tablets and biannual deworming tablets through schools and health centres.

While well-intentioned, WIFS has fallen short for at least two main reasons. In addition to low programme coverage, studies have shown that half of the students who receive the tablets discontinue due to side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances. The end result is that, even when the tablets reach the target user, the problem is often not corrected.

Please click here to read more.

Livemint.com, 21 October, 2018, https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/idnSHgwBR81NQWPwmQvmfJ/Opinion--An-innovative-method-for-boosting-nutrition.html


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close