Publication

Abstract : The rate of anaemia in India, moreover in Uttar Pradesh (UP), is quite alarming. Market dynamics, agricultural practices, and food habits, besides socio-economic factors, may connect with the high rate of anaemia in the state. This study aims to analyse iron-rich food consumption patterns and market dynamics to identify cost-effective dietary changes needed to address the anaemia issue in Uttar Pradesh, ultimately nudging people toward healthier food choices. The mapping of iron-rich food items in Uttar Pradesh is based on the iron content reviewed from literature and data collected from the publications by the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India. Data on the supply and demand of iron-rich foods were obtained from online platforms and a small questionnaire survey conducted in 2021 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Few iron-rich food items like sesame seeds, pearl millet (bajra), legumes, sorghum (jowar), finger millet (ragi), and sugarcane (jaggery) are being consumed but less frequently by people in UP. Most millets are affordable but not culturally as popular as wheat and rice. The production and consumption of various millets have decreased over time. Most of the population follows a vegetarian diet low in heme iron. This manuscript provides a basic idea about the cost-effectiveness of an iron-rich food item. The approach described here is a novel matrix of determinants to decipher the puzzle of prolonged standing anaemia in South Asia and gives clues to policy intervention.