The Efficacy of a Local Vitamin-C Rich Fruit (Guava) in Improving Iron Absorption From Mungbean Based Meals and Its Effect on Iron Status of Rural Indian Children (6-10 Years)

Iron deficiency is estimated to affect about one fifth of the world's population, and women and children are among the most severely affected. Evidence is mounting that iron deficiency anemia adversely affects brain development with measurable effects on children's behavior, motor development and cognition. In Hisar district of Haryana state, north- India, 58% of school age children (6-10 years) are anemic, 49 % are iron deficient whereas 40 % have been found to be anemic due to iron deficiency. Iron bioavailability calculated using algorithms in regional diets ranged from 3.2 to 4.6 percent. Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is the third most important legume crop of India. It is a high potential legume crop with 4-8 mg of iron and known as a nutritious and healthy legume. Ascorbic acid is a potent enhancer of iron absorption in humans which can counteract the inhibitory effect of phytic acid and polyphenols. Guava is a popular and easily available fruit for this community having 200- 300 mg/100g of ascorbic acid. We will conduct a randomised controlled trial in school age children (6-10 years) in Haryana state of India, to determine the efficacy of local vitamin-C rich fruit guava with mungbean based meal on iron status of rural Indian children. Objective: To assess the effect of mungbean based test meal on iron status (as body iron stores, defined and calculated by the ratio of serum ferritin and serum transferrin receptor) of school age children (6-10 years) with and without the consumption of guava, a vitamin C rich fruit, in a school feeding program for seven months. Study population: Three hundred school children aged between 6-10 years will be recruited from two government school of Mangali village situated in Hisar district of Haryana state. Study design: This intervention study will be carried out in a randomized controlled design. Main study parameters/endpoints: Primary outcome will be the measurement of body iron stores (mg/kg of body weight) based on the