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Approximately 70% of adolescents in India suffer from anaemia, making it one of the most important public health issues. Public intervention programs are essential to combat iron deficiency. Nutrition knowledge and nutrition education is also considered a long term approach to combat iron deficiency anaemiaA total of 207 girls in the age group of 18 to 25 were screened for the hemoglobin status and the knowledge assessed among the volunteer subjects (156 girls) using the tool developed for the purpose. Nutrition education intervention was carried out through a short lecture using the visual aids (flash cards, posters and display of raw foods such as rich sources, enhancers and inhibitors of iron absorption) followed by discussion. A folder was developed consisting brief information regarding iron, anaemia, sources, enhancers, inhibitors, consequences of anaemia, fortification. The knowledge assessment tool was tested thrice during the study period -initially before the education, soon after the nutrition education and one month later and the subjects were classified on the scores obtained. The classification was made as low, medium and high based on mean ± ½ SD. Thirty percent of the subjects scored low (<17), 42.31 per cent scored medium (17-23) and 27.56 per cent scored high (>23) before the education. Assessment of the knowledge immediately after the education programme revealed that 97.44 per cent of subjects scored high (>23) where as 2.56 per cent scored medium (17-23) and one month later, the knowledge level revealed that 95.51 per cent scored high (>23) and 4.49 per cent scored medium (17-23) reflecting that the retention of knowledge is quite satisfactory during follow up assessment. The percentage of correct response ranged from 39 to 69 percent previously followed by 71 to 96 percent at immediately after education intervention and 70 to 91 per cent at one month after education intervention. The response improved after education intervention that could help to combat micronutrient malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was designed to study the in-vitro bioavailability of various forms of iron compounds and to analyse the iron dialysability from the juices developed using the highly bioavailable form of iron. The in-vitro method involving gastro intestinal digestion and diffusion of iron through a semi-permeable membrane was used in the study. The dialyzed iron was estimated using a u-v spectrophotometer. The iron bioavailabilty of various forms of iron such as anhydrous ferrous sulphate, ferrous sulphate hydrate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous ammonium sulphate, ferric fumarate, ferric pyrophosphate, ferric chloride, sodium ferrous EDTA and elemental iron ranged from 0.2 to 4.1 per cent. Iron bioavailability in fortified juices was 9.3 and 4.0 percent for limejuice and grape juice respectively. The iron dialyzability was doubled in fortified limejuice, which could be due to the ascorbic acid content which is an enhancer of iron absorption. The lime juice contained 6.3 mg% of ascorbic acid. Thus fruit beverages with ferrous sulphate as a fortificant can be recommended for the anaemic youth to improve their iron status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of proper nutrition and diet to the overall fitness and health of the individual throughout the life span is well recognized. Thus, a study was structured with the objective of assessing somatic and biochemical status of one hundred male sports students of UAS and SAI. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. Dietary status of the subjects was assessed. Glucose and haemoglobin levels were estimated. Energy balance was calculated by 24 hours activity pattern. Mean height, weight, MAC, triceps, body mass index, body fat per cent, body fat (kg), lean body mass was 171.0 cm, 64.91 kg, 26.45 cm, 25.53 mm and 171.26 cm, 64.40 kg, 26.78 cm, 25.41 mm, respectively for UAS and SAI subjects. Ninety nine per cent of the total subjects had a normal BMI of 18.5 to 25. Two per cent of UAS and 59 per cent of SAI subjects had normal body fat (19.23). Statistically significant difference at one per cent level was observed for cereals, pulses, fruits, eggs, milk, sugar respectively. Mean haemoglobin level for UAS subjects was 14.0 g/dl and SAI was 14.05 g/dl. Mean blood glucose level was 72.7 and 78.5 mg/dl for UAS and SAI subjects respectively. All the subjects were found to be in positive energy balance. Thus, it may be concluded that anthropometric standards must be developed gamewise for better comparisons as currently no standards are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition support has become an important therapeutic intervention for improving outcomes in hospitalized patients. The present study was carried out with the objective of studying appropriate packaging and storage studies of enteral formulation from natural sources comprising finger millet (Eleusine coracana), soyprotein isolate, tomato powder, carrot powder, anne greens (Celosia argentea), groundnut oil and fish oil. Two type of packages--namely, polypropylene pouches and metallized polyester/polyethylene pouches--were used. The storage conditions were 27°C and 42°C at 65% relative humidity. The chemical, microbiological and sensory qualities of the formulation were assessed at regular intervals. The moisture sorption studies revealed that the formulation had an initial moisture content of 3.59%, which equilibrated to 13%. The product was acceptable at 64% relative humidity, after which it tend to become soggy. Analysis of peroxide value and free fatty acid content of the equilibrated samples revealed that moisture content of 4-5% was ideal for the storage of the formulation. An increase in the peroxide value and free fatty acid content was observed during 90-day storage period but the formulation was organoleptically acceptable. The microbial analysis of the formulation revealed an initial total bacterial count of 1.5×10² colony-forming units and increased to 7.9×10² colony-forming units (polypropylene) and 5.0×10² colony-forming units (metallized polyester/polyethylene). No fungal and coliform was detected at 90 days of storage. Thus it was concluded that the formulation can be stored for a period of 3 months at 27°C and 65% relative humidity. Such formulations can be primarily a supportive strategy to an active therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leafy vegetables provide much needed micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), in addition to various nutraceuticals and bioactive compounds. The present study was conducted on 100 households each of employed and unemployed groups. Questionnaire method was employed to elicit information from the respondents. The findings revealed that 24.5 percent of respondents liked greens, one hundred percent utilized mint, coriander and curry leaves irrespective of their occupation status. Fifty one per cent of the respondents consumed greens twice a week. Only 10 per cent stored greens in polythene bags with refrigeration for more than a day. Thirty eight percent included greens during pregnancy, while 42 per cent included shepu leaves (Peucedonum graveolens) during lactation. Per capita consumption of greens ranged between 48 - 66g by adults and adolescents. Thus, consumption of greens through nutrition education may be advocated to combat micronutrient malnutrition among the vulnerable section of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition support has become an important therapeutic intervention for improving outcomes in hospitalized patients. The present study was carried out with the objective of studying appropriate packaging and storage studies of enteral formulation from natural sources comprising finger millet (Eleusine coracana), soyprotein isolate, tomato powder, carrot powder, anne greens (Celosia argentea), groundnut oil and fish oil. Two type of packages--namely, polypropylene pouches and metallized polyester/polyethylene pouches--were used. The storage conditions were 27°C and 42°C at 65% relative humidity. The chemical, microbiological and sensory qualities of the formulation were assessed at regular intervals. The moisture sorption studies revealed that the formulation had an initial moisture content of 3.59%, which equilibrated to 13%. The product was acceptable at 64% relative humidity, after which it tend to become soggy. Analysis of peroxide value and free fatty acid content of the equilibrated samples revealed that moisture content of 4-5% was ideal for the storage of the formulation. An increase in the peroxide value and free fatty acid content was observed during 90-day storage period but the formulation was organoleptically acceptable. The microbial analysis of the formulation revealed an initial total bacterial count of 1.5 × 10² colony-forming units and increased to 7.9 × 10² colony-forming units (polypropylene) and 5.0 × 10² colony-forming units (metallized polyester/polyethylene). No fungal and coliform was detected at 90 days of storage. Thus it was concluded that the formulation can be stored for a period of 3 months at 27°C and 65% relative humidity. Such formulations can be primarily a supportive strategy to an active therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]