Reducing Iron

Deficiency in
Bangladesh
VENNY L ALU AND SYDNIE LEROY

Iron Deficiency in Bangladesh

Prevalence

Causes

58% of Population

Malnutrition

70% of all Women

Inadequate Energy Intake

50% of all Children

Food Insecurity
Poverty

Micronutrient Deficiency

Contributing Factors
Green Revolution (1960s)
Increased Rice Crop Production
Cost
Greater Accessibility

Contemporary Diet
Unbalanced
2/3 from Rice
10% from protein and fat sources

Increased Energy intake

Remainder: leafy greens and small

amount of fruit

Contributing Factors
Bioavailability
Inhibitors

Rising Costs
Lentils

Phytic acid in Rice

Enhancers
Unavailability of native sour fruits
Cost
Seasonal

Meats
Heme Sources of Iron

Possible Interventions
Interventions
Fortification
Supplementation
Biofortification

Dietary Diversification
Nutrition Education
Agricultural Approach

Major Strength
Long Term Food Based
Strategy

Recent Efforts To Combat

Malnutrition
IHNDP

Outcomes
Diversification of Diet

Nutrition Education
School Based Education
Community Based Education

Horticulture
Development of Household Gardens

Iron Intake
Children- 8mg in nonintervention and 13 mg
in intervention
Women- 17mg in nonintervention and 25mg in
intervention

School Gardens
Education Interviews

Iron Pots
Meat cooked in iron pots contributes 5x more iron

Bioavailable
Directly raised iron stores

Cost
It would cost $5,000 to provide
10,000 families with pots vs $8000
to $20,000 to supplement for one
year
No continued cost after initial
distribution

Distribution
Through the previously
established school programs
Establish a headquarters, just as
the IHNDP has
Only requires one pot per family

Mola Fish
Benefits
Small amounts of meat increase
nonheme iron availability
Can grow peaceably with carp and
in rice fields
7.4 metric tons of fish per hectare
per year
Inexpensive and easy to keep
Could raise family income or family
iron levels

Implementation
4.2 million household ponds in
Bangladesh
Addition of Mola fish to current rice
fields
Natural resource that breed and
substantially increase numbers
during annual monsoon season
Harvested and Transported

References
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