Dietary diversity associated with anemia
Anemia is one of the prevailing issues in Pakistan especially among the school going children and women. It is associated with the decrease in the number of red blood cells because of iron deficiency and that ultimately affects the supply of oxygen in the body. Anemia causes fatigue, weakness, dizziness and headaches. It may lead to morbidity and mortality.
Problem
Anemia is frequently caused as a result of adapting the poor dietary habits: a diet that lacks diversity. Studies conducted in 2019 showed that 61.3% of the women living in rural areas and 41.7% living in urban areas were anemic. The prevalence of anemia in children and women of Pakistan is particularly the result of the inadequate supply of nutrients. Most of the people of Pakistan focus on quantity instead of quality of food and rely on the wheat and rice.
Problem statement:
People lack the knowledge about the importance of diet diversity and healthy diet patterns that leads to poor health issues and anemia especially among school going children and women.
Solution:
After discussion about anemia with my friends, there is a need of creating awareness among people about bringing a diversity in diet. Adding iron rich foods in the daily dietary pattern leads to an improvement of absorption of iron. I know the problem is at a massive level but bringing a change at small level might lead to an improvement at large scale.
Government of Pakistan has taken an initiative of improving the iron level through the fortification of wheat flour. It is a very good way of introducing the iron in the bodies through food. Therefore, the addition of iron rich foods in the meal is a better way to tackle anemia. Iron deficiency affects the energy levels and the ability of people to carry out normal activities. I have attached some of the following pictures that clearly describe the effects of anemia.
The pictures showed some of the effects of anemia on the body health which leads to serious disorder. Shifting the lifestyle towards a dietary diversity and addition of iron in daily food leads towards wellness.
Moving towards a healthy lifestyle:)
