Nutrition In Developing Countries

Define the research problem and background of the problem:

Children nutrition is the most talked subject and specifically children’s nutritional deficiency is the main focus of the every country in today’s world. Iron deficiency and obesity is very common nutritional problem in children all over the world (Pollitt, 2011; Suskind, 2009). Most importantly, these two problems in children are linked to other numerous health related problems in the children. Until recently, these two problems have been studied separately and measures have been taken to correct these issues in children. However; very less attention has been given to the combined problem of obesity and iron deficiency in the children. It has been proved that, these two conditions

In reality, it is debatable topic, because eating habits should be different in obese and iron deficient children. However; in this case it is occurring in the same children. Even though, obese children are taking more diet, actually this diet is unbalanced diet. This diet is not providing proper nutrition, which means, this diet is providing food in quantity but not the quality food. This scenario is occurring in both developed as well in developing countries. In developing countries children are eating food of low cost and low quality, while children in developed country eat food with high sugar and fat. Both the type of food is responsible for obesity and at the same iron deficiency (Saloojee & Pettifor, 2001; Bhatia and Seshadri, 1993). As mentioned above, eating habits are different in the obesity and iron deficiency, very less attention has been given to the possibility of developing these conditions in the same individual. Hence, this problem in the children always remains neglected and it is need of hour to do research on this topic and take necessity corrective actions to combat these

This condition results in further increase in body weight in the obese children. Obesity is linked to the inflammation and this inflammation leads to the iron deficiency due to decrease absorption of iron due to less expression of ferroportin (Aigner et al., 2014). It several studies it has been established that iron deficiency is more prevalent in the subjects with more basal metabolic rate (BMI) (Nead et al., 2004; Pinhas-Hamiel et al., 2003). Lower concentrations of serum iron with increasing BMI were observed several decades ago and confirmed in subsequent investigations. Transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were found to be low in population with risk of iron deficiency. At the same time levels of transferrin saturation and serum ferritin are also low in the overweight population as compared to the normal population (Nead et al., 2004; Pinhas-Hamiel et al., 2003). There is data from the different parts of the world available, exhibiting relationship between obesity and anemia. Studies from Israel, China, Iran and USA showed direct relation between obesity and iron deficiency (Aigner et al., 2014). Another reason for iron deficiency in obese children is result of increased requirement of iron in the obese children due to more growth and increased body surface area.

This combined problem of obesity and iron deficiency remained