Dietary diversification for prevention of anaemia among women of childbearing age from rural India.

Objective: To assess the impact of an intervention modifying dietary habits for the prevention of anaemia in rural India.

Design: Intervention study with data on anthropometric (weight, height) measurements, Hb and diet pattern. As per the cut-off for Hb in the government programme, women with Hb <11 g/dl had to be given Fe tablets and formed the supplemented group while those with Hb > 11 g/dl formed the non-supplemented group.

Social dimensions related to anaemia among women of childbearing age from rural India.

Objective: To examine various sociodemographic aspects related to consumption of micronutrient-rich foods like green leafy vegetables (GLV), which will be helpful in modifying dietary habits, a strategy that merits consideration for prevention of anaemia.

Design: Cross-sectional study for collecting data on socio-economic and anthropometric (weight, height) variables, Hb, dietary pattern (FFQ) and peripheral smear examination for classifying nutritional and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA).

Setting: Three villages near Pune city, Maharashtra, India.