Steadfast Nutrition launched Iron Women Campaign 2.0 in 2023 to raise awareness about the grave issue of iron deficiency anaemia in India. The program, which included a range of activities and communication efforts, sought to educate the public about the importance of iron in the diet, the symptoms and risks of anaemia, and how to prevent it. The campaign, launched ahead of International Women's Day, was particularly focused on women's health, given the high prevalence of iron deficiency in India.
Raising Awareness: Nationwide Poll and Social Experiment.
The Iron Women 2.0 campaign included a nationwide poll conducted in Tier 1 and Tier 2 Indian cities. The goal was to gauge public awareness and understanding of iron deficiency anaemia, haemoglobin testing, and emphasise the benefits of iron-rich diets among people. The findings were eye-opening and surprising - most participants lacked a basic awareness of the ideal haemoglobin levels and the need to maintain them. Many people were unaware of the necessity of regular testing and how eating iron-rich foods might help prevent anaemia.
In addition, the team conducted a social experiment to better understand the public's perspective of a healthy diet in preventing anaemia. This study discovered a surprising lack of information among urban women regarding the need for iron-rich foods and other dietary habits to maintain appropriate iron levels. Despite living in environments with relatively easy access to information, many women were unaware of the relationship between nutrition and anaemia prevention. This finding underlined the need for more targeted educational programs to bridge the knowledge gap.
Educational Talks at Universities
To address this lack of awareness right away, Steadfast Nutrition held educational seminars at two famous universities: SGT University in Gurugram and the Manav Rachna Institute of Research and Studies in Faridabad. A professional nutritionist led these conversations, which included 600 pupils in all.
During the lectures, the nutritionist addressed common myths regarding iron-rich diets, highlighting which foods are beneficial for increasing iron levels and ones which are not. In her myth-busting exercise for instance, she emphasised that spinach was not the best source of iron as commonly perceived and that iron-rich foods, such as lean meats, beans, lentils, and dark leafy greens, are more effective at increasing iron levels.
The nutritionist also went over important dos and don'ts for iron consumption. She stressed that tea and coffee should not be combined with meals since they contain compounds that prevent iron absorption. She also stressed the need to not skip meals and include vitamin C-rich foods in one's diet, as vitamin C enhances iron absorption.
Furthermore, the importance of regular haemoglobin testing was highlighted thoroughly. The nutritionist encouraged students to take care of their health by having their haemoglobin levels checked routinely, especially if they show signs of anaemia such as fatigue, weakness, or dizziness.
Practicing Healthy Habits
The Iron Women Campaign 2.0 was a comprehensive initiative that targeted iron deficiency anaemia in India through education, direct outreach, and community engagement. The initiative encouraged people to avoid and treat anaemia by promoting frequent haemoglobin tests and the use of iron- and vitamin C-rich foods.
Steadfast Nutrition's efforts show the importance of a comprehensive approach to public health education. Steadfast is paving the way for an "anaemia-free" future for women across India by reaching out to diverse communities, including university students and rural women, and providing practical resources and assistance. As awareness grows and more individuals take responsibility for their health, initiatives such as Iron Women 2.0 will continue to have an impact.
