problems as those in urban areas in the higher income groups. They would tend to be sedentary and enjoy rich food having plenty of fat and carbohydrate. Adolescence and Anaemia Anemia afflicts an estimated two billion people worldwide, mostly due to iron deficiency. It primarily affects women and girls.
The latest National Family Health Survey- (NFHS- ) conducted in - has revealed that per cent of adolescent girls are anaemic as compared to per cent of adolescent boys. Compare this with the figure of per cent for young children in the age range - months. It has also been found that the incidence of anaemia is actually increasing when compared to the last survey conducted in - . The prevalence of anemia is disproportionately high in developing countries like India, due to poverty, inadequate diet, certain diseases, repetitive pregnancy and lactation, and poor access to health services.
Adolescence is an opportune time for interventions to address anaemia. In addition to growth needs, girls need to improve iron status before pregnancy. Both boys and girls have access to information about anaemia through schools, recreational activities and via the mass media. This can be used effectively to transmit messages about iron-rich foods and iron supplements where necessary.
F igure : F actors A ffecting F ood B ehaviour of A dolescents Social-economic-political system Food availability, production, and distribution system External factors Family unit and family characteristics Parenting practices Peers Social and cultural Norms and values Mass media Fast foods Food fads Nutrition knowledge Personal experiences Internal factors Physiological needs and characteristics Body image and self-concept Personal values and beliefs Food preferences and meanings Psychosocial development Health Life-style Individual food behaviour