Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFS) and not daily supplements is proposed as a preventive long term approach to improve iron status and also 53 for reducing the prevalence of anaemia . The daily oral administrations of iron doses far exceed the capacity of an individual to assimilate (absorb, utilize, and metabolize) iron safely. The positive impact of WIFS reported in various studies support the “mucosal block” hypothesis, wherein administration of iron every seven days allow time for shedding of cells loaded with iron from a previous dose, thereby increasing iron absorption

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It is recognized that even before appearance of anaemia mild to moderate iron deficiency is associated with adverse functional consequences. Research has shown that the risk of LBW, preterm delivery and perinatal mortality increases among iron deficient anaemic adolescents. As growing pregnant adolescents compete with the growing foetus for the nutrients and also they often receive inadequate antenatal care, their anaemia during labour and postpartum period may be worse than in older women. Severe anaemia is an important cause of maternal mortality among adolescents. National socio-economic development, as well as personal health and selffulfilment, are impaired by iron deficiency. The negative impact on national development can be estimated:

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In most populations anaemia is primarily due to iron deficiency and is in fact the late stage of a relatively long process of deterioration in iron stores. UNICEF/UNU/ WHO / MI report indicates that there are approximately 2.5 cases of iron deficiency for each case of anaemia. The functional consequences are known to occur prior to onset of clinical stage of iron deficiency . Many more adolescents are in fact suffering from iron deficiency (ID) with its adverse effects on health and physical stamina, than are frankly anaemic. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in adolescence is a major public health problem. Studies indicate that the incidence of anaemia in adolescents tends to increase with age and corresponds with the highest acceleration of growth during adolescence. The highest prevalence is between the ages of 12-15 years when requirements are at peak. More than 50% girls in this age group have been reported to be anaemic.

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Nearly 50 percent of adolescent girls aged 15–19 in India are underweight, with a body mass index of less than 18.5, and more than one quarter are underweight in 10 other countries. Such undernutrition renders adolescents vulnerable to disease and early death and has lifelong health consequences. 1.3 million adolescents died from preventable or treatable causes during 2012 as per WHO reports

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