Nutrition intervention program for the management of iron‐deficiency anemia in a group of pregnant women in Jordan

The impact of a nutrition education intervention program on the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in a group of pregnant Jordanian women was evaluated. The program was based on planned meals from local food sources in combination with nutritional counseling as an alternative approach to more costly iron supplementation.

Data on dietary intake, anthropometric measures, iron status indices and nutrition knowledge were used in evaluation of program effectiveness.

The treatment group showed increased nutrition knowledge, more adequate nutrient intake, normal weight gain and better iron status than the control group, which received only usual care including limited nutrition counseling.

Results of the study indicate the feasibility of the nutrition intervention program in the management of iron‐deficiency and prevention of anemia in women from communities of low socio‐economic status.

Key words:

• Pregnant women
• nutrition intervention program
• iron‐deficiency anemia
• Jordan