We observed an association between intake of Fe-fortified foods  and Hb concentration in children aged < 10 years .
Fe-fortified foods could be an effective strategy for reducing Fe-deficiency anaemia in children
OBJECTIVE To combine evidence from r and omized controlled trials to assess the effect of Fe-fortified foods on mean Hb concentration in children ( < 10 years ) .
Community-level micronutrient fortification of school lunch meals improved vitamin A, folate, and iron status of schoolchildren in Himalayan villages of India.
Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies are common among Indian schoolchildren . We assessed the effectiveness of micronutrient fortification of meals cooked and fortified at school on anemia and micronutrient status of schoolchildren in Himalayan villages of India . In this placebo-controlled , cluster-r and omized study , 499 schoolchildren ( 6 - 10 y ) received either multiple micronutrients ( treatment group ) or placebo ( control group ) as part of school meals ( 6 d/wk ) for 8 mo . Both groups were dewormed at the beginning of the study . The micronutrient premix provided 10 mg iron , 375 microg vitamin A , 4.2 mg zinc , 225 microg folic acid , and 1.35 microg vitamin B-12 for each child per day ( approximately 75 % recommended dietary allowance ) . Blood sample s drawn before and after the intervention were analyzed for hemoglobin , ferritin , retinol , zinc , folate , and vitamin B-12 . Baseline prevalence of anemia ( 37 % ) , iron deficiency anemia ( 10 % ) , low serum ferritin ( 24 % ) , retinol ( 56 % ) , zinc ( 74 % ) , folate ( 68 % ) , and vitamin B-12 ( 17 % ) did not differ between groups . Postintervention , fewer in the treatment group had lower serum retinol [ odds ratio ( OR ) ( 95 % CI ) : 0.57 ( 0.33 - 0.97 ) ] and folate [ OR ( 95 % CI ) : 0.47 ( 0.26 - 0.84 ) ] than the control group . The serum vitamin B-12 concentration decreased in both groups , but the magnitude of change was less in the treatment than in the control group ( P < 0.05 ) . Total body iron ( TBI ) increased in both groups ; however , the change was greater in the treatment than in the control group ( P < 0.05 ) . Micronutrient fortification of school meals by trained school personnel was effective in improving vitamin A , folate , and TBI status while also reducing the magnitude of a decrease in vitamin B-12 status
We observed an association between intake of Fe-fortified foods  and Hb concentration in children aged < 10 years .
Fe-fortified foods could be an effective strategy for reducing Fe-deficiency anaemia in children
OBJECTIVE To combine evidence from r and omized controlled trials to assess the effect of Fe-fortified foods on mean Hb concentration in children ( < 10 years ) .