Adolescents, especially girls, may sometimes suffer from blood-related health problems (s) because of a deficiency of iron or vitamin B12 in the body. (Page 80)

 (i) Find out about such health problem(s).

 (ii) How can we manage iron deficiency in our body?

 (iii) Find out about government schemes aimed to prevent such deficiencies.

(i) A common blood-related health problem caused by a deficiency of iron or vitamin B12 is anaemia. In anaemia, the amount of haemoglobin in the blood is lower than normal. Haemoglobin carries oxygen to different parts of the body, so when its level falls, organs and muscles get less oxygen and the person feels weak and tired. Typical symptoms include tiredness, weakness, dizziness, pale skin, breathlessness on exertion and, in cases of vitamin B12 deficiency, sometimes numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Both iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency are common causes of different types of anaemia.

(ii) Ways to manage and prevent iron deficiency:

• Eat iron-rich foods: green leafy vegetables (spinach, fenugreek), pulses (lentils, beans), meat (for non-vegetarians), eggs and iron-fortified cereals.
• Improve absorption: consume foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes) along with iron-rich meals to increase iron absorption.
• Avoid inhibitors at mealtimes: tea and coffee can reduce iron absorption, so avoid them with meals.
• Use iodised and fortified foods as recommended and cook in iron cookware when possible.
• Supplements: iron tablets or syrups should be taken only on a doctor's advice if diet alone is insufficient.

(iii) Government schemes and programmes to prevent and control anaemia (examples):

• Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): A nationwide programme to screen, prevent and treat anaemia among children, adolescents, pregnant women and other groups. Activities include regular iron and folic acid supplementation, deworming, screening and awareness campaigns.
• National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI): An earlier initiative that focused on targeted iron and folic acid supplementation for different age groups to reduce iron deficiency anaemia.

· Mid-Day Meal Scheme: School meals provide additional nutrients, including iron, to many children and adolescents and support better nutrition and health.