Iron Food

Iron deficiency anemia is a global public health problem, as compelling and harmful as the epidemics of infectious diseases. With a global population of 6,700 million, at least,600 million people have iron deficiency and 2000 million out of these suffer from iron deficiency anemia. WHO estimates that over one third of the world's population suffers from anemia. India continues to be one of the countries with the highest prevalence of anemia. National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 3 estimates reveal the prevalence of anemia to be 70-80% in children, 70% in pregnant women and 24% in adult men. Prevalence of anemia in India is high because of low dietary intake, poor availability of iron. According to the Nutrition Foundation of India, 90 per cent of adolescent girls, women and children suffer from iron deficiency. Almost 20 per cent of maternal deaths are because of iron deficiency anemia and it is a contributory factor in 20 per cent more deaths.