Question

Nurses play a vital role in prevention of disease and promotion of health. You have been asked to teach about the healthy eating habits to prevent iron and iodine deficiency disorders to a group of pregnant mothers.

Discuss the components of your health teaching in the prevention of iron and iodine deficiency disorders.

Answer 1

• Most common cause if Anemia in women is iron deficiency.
• This iron deficiency most of the times occurs due dietary deficiency of Iron.
• Women have a propensity to develop anemia. The factors that contribute to the development of iron deficiency anemia in women are:
  • Disregard for women's health in the society.
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Irrational diets to lose weight in order to look good.
  • Rigid eating habits.
  • Religious reasons for not eating certain foodstuffs that are rich in iron.
  • Blood loss during menstruation and pregnancy.
• The health of a woman not only affects her but also affects the family, especially children.
• Therefore, it is important for women to take charge of their health.
• This can be done in the following ways:
  1. Take a balance diet
  2. Include food rich in iron in your diet
  3. The options are:

     1. Non -vegetarian	Vegetarian
        Chicken liver Sardines Beef Lamb Salmon	Beans Legumes Lentils Jaggery Almonds Cashew nuts Spinach Brocolli Green pea tofu quinoa

  4. Vegetarians must remember that vegetarian sources of iron are weak sources. (Non heme iron is poorly absorbed and phytates present in the non-heme iron sources further reduce the absorption of iron)
  5. Therefore, it is important to stay in touch with the doctor, and if required medical supplementation should be initiated.
  6. It is best to reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, and antacids (especially close to meals) as they reduce the absorption of iron
  7. Engage in regular exercise.
  8. Take adequate sleep (6 - 8 hours)
  9. Visit the doctor if you are having
     1. Easy fatiguability
     2. Breathlessness
     3. Palpitations
     4. Depression
     5. Hair loss
     6. Menorrhagia
     7. Bleeding per rectum.
  10. These may be signs of anemia.
  11. Avoid crash diets and rigid eating habits.