RELATIONSHIP AMONG IRON DEFICIENCY AND DAILY FOOD CONSUMPTION AMONG GENERAL PUBLIC

Objective: To determine the association between dietary intake and iron deficiency anemia and to know the different methods for assessing the nutritional status. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: We conducted this study on general population of Rawalpindi for the duration of Six months from September, 2018 to March, 2019. Methodology: This study was among the general population in which 216 subjects were enrolled (108 subjects were males and 108 were females), (Age=11-40 years). They were selected by simple random sampling living in during the study period. All married, unmarried, healthy willing persons were included after getting informed consent; they filled the forms. Study tool was the structured Questionnaire. Confidentiality of all the data was ensured. A questionnaire was designed to see the status of nutrition and association of anaemia. Data was collected by taking the history and physical examination of cases and taking their weight and height. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 21 and entered in proforma. Results: The 38.43% of the participants were having anemia, among them 21.76% of the participants were having mild anemia ,15.74% of the participants were having moderate anemia and 0.93% of participants were having severe anemia. The 34.25% of participants were underweight and 9.7% participants were overweight. More than 55% of females were suffering from anemia. So far, the methodology based on hypothesis of Z-test I have arrived at the conclusion at C.I. 98% following results were found. This distinguished class signifies the percentage anaemic patients. Conclusion: Most of the female participants were having anemia. There was a significant association between the intake of meat and hemoglobin level. So special measures should be taken to provide dietary education especially to females to have healthier mothers in the future. Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, Nutritional status, General Population, Under weigh