Impact of Pearl Millet Based Product on Hb Status of Adolescent Girls

The book is an original research work, done in the year 2009-2010 at College of Home Science, Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. It actualizes the impact of local dietary sources over commercial options in case of rectifying dietary deficiencies. Pearl millet is the staple food of Rajasthan, which is also the richest source of Iron among cereals; still the prevalence of anemia in that region is considerably high. Adolescent females are future carriers of our next generation and they are extremely vulnerable for iron deficiency that also leads to various forms of maternal, child morbidities, and even mortalities. The study determines that developed product using Processed Pearl Millet along with other iron rich foods, was at par when compared with commercial iron folic acid tablets in correcting hemoglobin levels of anemic adolescent girls residing in Bikaner (Rajasthan, India). Hence, processing of pearl millet and its inclusion in daily diet may be helpful in reducing the burden of Anemia among Indian population.