Define Inadequate Dietary Intake - cause of anaemia is dietary?
The commonest cause of anaemia is dietary inadequacy of iron. The dietary intakes arc usually half of the recommended dietary allowances in every age and physiological group. In Indian communities, since cereals form the major source of iron, poor bioavailability of iron from the habitual diets is an important cause of iron deficiency. Isotope studies have shown that iron absorption ranges between 2-6 percent, depending upon the type of cereal in the diet. Phytates and tannins present in Indian diet interfere with iron absorption to a significant extent.
The chemically determined iron content of the Indian diets is apparently high (15mg/1000 calories), but 30% of it is unabsorbable contaminant iron. The true dietary iron content is, therefore, only 10 mg/1000 calories, which can meet the iron requirement of adult men and children less than 6 years, provided their dietary intake meets the energy requirements. However, in order to meet the iron requirements of women in the reproductive age group, either the bioavailability of dietary iron should be improved or additional iron must be supplemented.