Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: October-December | Volume: 4 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 142-147
Sufficient Feed for Deficient Marrow: A Study on Dietary Factors Influencing Hemoglobin Levels
V. Bhavani1, Dr N. Prabhavathy Devi2
1Dietician, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, KK Nagar, Chennai, India
2Assistant Professor, Queen Marys College, Chennai, India
Corresponding Author: V. Bhavani
ABSTRACT
According to WHO, the prevalence of anemia is highest in South Asia, and India has the maximum prevalence of anemia among the South Asian countries. Anemia is major concern in developing countries like India. Thus, the present study explored the dietary factors influencing hemoglobin levels among the college students. Adopting stratified and Simple random sampling technique, this study was conducted at three Arts and Science Colleges situated in North Chennai. This study was conducted among 1000 students in the age group of 19 to 22 years. Interview schedule was used for collection of the details regarding the background information and eating habits of the participants. . Biochemical tests are the most objective and sensitive measures of nutritional status. In the present study, hemoglobin is evaluated using Drabkin Method. The obtained details were coded and entered into Microsoft excel. The coded raw data were subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Hemoglobin levels of the participants were correlated with the dietary habits. The prevalence of anemia was more among 19 years (73.4%), followed by 65% in 20 years, 54.6% in 21 years and 46% in 22 years. Hostel dwellers were more prone to anemia than the students resided with the parents, friends and relatives. Students residing at hostel tend to have a poor eating habit leading to low hemoglobin levels. Vegetarians are more prone to anemia when compared to mixed diet consumers and ova-vegetarians. Spreading the Nutrition Education in this regard helps to increase the hemoglobin levels among the general population. Encouraging consumption of iron rich foods and vitamin C helps to increase the hemoglobin levels.
Keywords: Anemia, Hemoglobin, Iron, Dietary factors, Drabkin method, Junk foods