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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]

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]