title: Effect of supplementation with iron fortified biscuits on the hemoglobin status of children in rural areas of Shimoga, Karnataka.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of iron fortified biscuits, in high and low dosages, on the hemoglobin levels of anemic school going children aged 6 to 12 y.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nutrition intervention was conducted in primary schools located in villages at Shimoga district, Karnataka. School children aged 6 to 12 y who were anemic, with hemoglobin level <11.5 g/dl were considered for the nutrition intervention. The sampling design undertaken was quasi experimental with pre and post stages of outcome. The children enrolled were divided into two groups. One group received high dosage of iron fortified biscuits (30 mg of elemental iron/6 biscuits) and the second group received a relatively lower dosage of iron fortified biscuits (1.8 mg of elemental iron/6 biscuits) for a period of 120 d. The hemoglobin levels were estimated pre and post fortified biscuit supplementation by cyanomethemoglobin method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an increase in the mean hemoglobin level of children which was found to be higher in group I (high iron fortified biscuits) (1.06 g/dl) compared to group II (low iron fortified biscuits) (0.41 g/dl), significant at 0.01 level (t = 3.84**).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the current nutrition intervention, both high and low iron fortified biscuits led to a significant enhancement in the body weight and hemoglobin status of anemic school children in a rural setup. The nutrition intervention clearly highlights biscuits as an ideal fortification vehicle for addressing anemia.
authors.affiliation: Britannia Industries Limited, Research and Development, Britannia Gardens, Old Airport Road, Bangalore, 560017, India, dhrutibal@britindia.com.
authors.forename: Dhruti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bal
authors.forename: Karthik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagesh
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Surendra
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chiradoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gomathy
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012424:Rural Population; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D014131:Trace Elements; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron