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Potential impacts of iron biofortification in India

Potential impacts of iron biofortification in India
Potential impacts of iron biofortification in India
Iron deficiency is a widespread nutrition and health problem in developing countries, causing impairments in physical activity and cognitive development, as well as maternal mortality. Although food fortification and supplementation programmes have been effective in some countries, their overall success remains limited. Biofortification, that is, breeding food crops for higher micronutrient content, is a relatively new approach, which has been gaining international attention recently. We propose a methodology for ex ante impact assessment of iron biofortification, building on a disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) framework. This methodology is applied in an Indian context. Using a large and representative data set of household food consumption, the likely effects of iron-rich rice and wheat varieties are simulated for different target groups and regions. These varieties, which are being developed by an international public research consortium, based on conventional breeding techniques, might be ready for local distribution within the next couple of years. The results indicate sizeable potential health benefits. Depending on the underlying assumptions, the disease burden associated with iron deficiency could be reduced by 19–58%. Due to the relatively low institutional cost to reach the target population, the expected cost-effectiveness of iron biofortification compares favourably with other micronutrient interventions. Nonetheless, biofortification should not be seen as a substitute for other interventions. Each approach has its particular strengths, so they complement one another.
iron deficiency, biofortification, DALYs, impact assessment, india, cost-effectiveness analysis
0277-9536
1797-1808
Stein, Alexander
accef19e-35b2-4619-8748-221184adbacb
Meenakshi, J.V.
63602c0c-dd63-4133-aa5f-6aaa08512f6f
Qaim, Matin
dc2dc032-4904-47ea-ad44-e609dddaa3f4
Nestel, Pemelope
64dfcf3f-2e0f-4653-9fdf-1a48f1c99a1e
Sachdev, H.P.S.
8667f0cc-a69a-4f5d-b140-14e06edd7894
Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.
009c4f8b-3ae6-4a0d-a666-9997d49dd292
Stein, Alexander
accef19e-35b2-4619-8748-221184adbacb
Meenakshi, J.V.
63602c0c-dd63-4133-aa5f-6aaa08512f6f
Qaim, Matin
dc2dc032-4904-47ea-ad44-e609dddaa3f4
Nestel, Pemelope
64dfcf3f-2e0f-4653-9fdf-1a48f1c99a1e
Sachdev, H.P.S.
8667f0cc-a69a-4f5d-b140-14e06edd7894
Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.
009c4f8b-3ae6-4a0d-a666-9997d49dd292

Stein, Alexander, Meenakshi, J.V., Qaim, Matin, Nestel, Pemelope, Sachdev, H.P.S. and Bhutta, Zulfiqar A. (2008) Potential impacts of iron biofortification in India. Social Science & Medicine, 66 (8), 1797-1808. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.01.006). (PMID:18291567)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Iron deficiency is a widespread nutrition and health problem in developing countries, causing impairments in physical activity and cognitive development, as well as maternal mortality. Although food fortification and supplementation programmes have been effective in some countries, their overall success remains limited. Biofortification, that is, breeding food crops for higher micronutrient content, is a relatively new approach, which has been gaining international attention recently. We propose a methodology for ex ante impact assessment of iron biofortification, building on a disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) framework. This methodology is applied in an Indian context. Using a large and representative data set of household food consumption, the likely effects of iron-rich rice and wheat varieties are simulated for different target groups and regions. These varieties, which are being developed by an international public research consortium, based on conventional breeding techniques, might be ready for local distribution within the next couple of years. The results indicate sizeable potential health benefits. Depending on the underlying assumptions, the disease burden associated with iron deficiency could be reduced by 19–58%. Due to the relatively low institutional cost to reach the target population, the expected cost-effectiveness of iron biofortification compares favourably with other micronutrient interventions. Nonetheless, biofortification should not be seen as a substitute for other interventions. Each approach has its particular strengths, so they complement one another.

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More information

Published date: April 2008
Keywords: iron deficiency, biofortification, DALYs, impact assessment, india, cost-effectiveness analysis

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 143257
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/143257
ISSN: 0277-9536
PURE UUID: ea9483d2-414d-4523-9a31-0729e724831c

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Date deposited: 08 Apr 2010 09:11
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 00:42

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Contributors

Author: Alexander Stein
Author: J.V. Meenakshi
Author: Matin Qaim
Author: Pemelope Nestel
Author: H.P.S. Sachdev
Author: Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

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