Effect of a dietary program on school boy’s vitamin A and iron intake

Introduction: Nutrition is the most important aspect for healthy and disease in children and adolescents. This pre-experimental study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of developed dietary intervention programmed package in vitamin A and iron received in school children. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 120 11-14 years old children along with their families were randomly recruited and divided in two experimental and control groups from Ajabshir Junior high Schools. Families' dietary history and dietary data from students by means of three consecutive 24-hour diet records and recalls before and after intervention were collected. Data collection has done by nutritional table and quaderprounch. Factors such as age, education level, job, income, type of home matched. Dietary intervention programmed package contained on role of vitamin A and iron received in growth and healthy, introducing sources of vitamin A and iron in nutrition and take 7 nutritional plans based on socio-economical level for families (21 plans for 3 levels). This plan flowed up for 30 days and the 2 questionnaires measured again in 2 groups. Results: The baseline data indicated that intake of most micronutrients were below the Recommended Dietary Allowance after the intervention period. Vitamin A and iron intakes of the experimental subjects were significantly higher than those of the control group (P< 0.001). Conclusion: These results indicate that encouraging the consumption of rich but cheap and locally available dietary sources of vitamin A and iron can prevent vitamin A and iron deficiencies in school children. Thus to prevent micronutrients deficiencies, were commend establishing dietary intervention programs availability of foods and communities according to their cultural and socioeconomic status