There is a new weapon in the fight against anaemia, a common nutrition problem particularly prevalent in children in Southeast Asia. Sugar confectionery (candies) fortified with iron are expected to have a high take up as they appeal to children who dislike taking iron in traditional pill form. New research results published by Helen Keller International in Indonesia showed that “iron-fortified candies were effective for improving the iron status of young children and might be an affordable way to combat iron deficiency in children of low-to-middle income groups.”
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According to a report published on Reuters Health (www.reutershealth.com), investigators studied more than 100 healthy Indonesian children. Some ate ten iron-fortified candies a week for 12 weeks, corresponding to a weekly intake of 30mg, while a control group at non-fortified candies. The group that had taken fortified sweets showed a significant increase in haemoglobin levels.
The report writers claimed that the children and their parents were receptive to taking iron supplements in this format, with 95% of mothers saying they would supervise their children to make sure they ate enough candy to get the maximum benefit.
