As stated by
the World Health Organization “anaemia is a condition in which the number of
red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet
physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy
status”.
Iron
deficiency is one the most common causes of this disease, since it is
fundamental in the formation of haemoglobin that composes blood red cells and
which is responsible of carry the oxygen through the body. It is no accident
that iron-deficiency anaemia is the most common type of this health issue. Moreover,
it can affect the immune system, endangering the body defences, by exposing them
to the risk of contracting infections.
Iron
deficiency is usually caused by a lack of the substance in the diet, which is
contained in some veg and non veg food, such as: meat and fish, eggs, cereals
fortified in iron, legumes and leafy vegetables such as spinach, legumes and
fruits. Anaemia causes fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, pink or red
urine, hair loss and brittle nails, as well as depression, dizziness and headache.
In severe cases of the disease, it may also lead to heart and lungs
complications.
Anaemia is
considered as a national calamity in India, since more than half of Indian
women and ¾ children suffer from it. Women with heavy periods, or pregnant are
more susceptible to contract it. Moreover, during pregnancies, anaemia
increases the risks of complications of the mother and the foetus, both during
and after birth and can also lead to postnatal depression. A study carried out in two
rural villages in Karnataka (India), between 401 children aged 12 to 23 months
old, showed that 75,3% were anaemic, which was directly associated with energy
intake from food and especially from breastfeeding. The principal factors to
blame are the diet and the food insecurity (both quality and quantity), which
is directly linked to maternal anaemia, poverty and cultural beliefs. Indeed,
many Indian women during periods avoid certain kind of foods for religious
matters.
In
conclusion, anaemia has to be linked to MHM and also to child marriage and
gender equality, because very young women have less decision making powers,
which makes them more vulnerable concerning nutritional intake. Usually,
especially in rural areas, women and girls tend to eat after having served food
to all the other male members of the family, which make them eat leftovers and
usually smaller portions of food.
Anaemia is a
very important issue that need to be considered as a real disease and solved. In
order to prevent it, we should all, women and men, adults and children, have a
regular diet, balanced and rich in iron.
SOURCES:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20547647
PICTURES: drawing from Heeals (NGO)
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