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Supplement: Forging Effective Strategies to Combat Iron Deficiency

Policy and Sustainability Issues^{1 ,2}

Food and Nutrition Division, FAO, Rome, Italy 00100

³To whom correspondence should be addressed. Food and Nutrition Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, 00100, Italy. E-mail: Guy.Nantel{at}fao.org

The need for combined and integrated strategies to address iron deficiency is widely recognized, utilizing targeted supplementation, as well as food based strategies including both fortified and nonfortified foods. The challenge is not so much knowing "what" to do as is understanding "how" to implement effective and sustainable interventions. Because the causes of iron and other micronutrient deficiencies are complex, including inadequate food intake, unsanitary conditions and inadequate health services, the solutions may also be complex, requiring multisectoral and interdisciplinary approaches. Top-down strategies are unlikely to be effective and sustainable. Rather, the beneficiaries of the program at the community level must be able to understand malnutrition in simple terms, to envisage potential solutions and to become "demanders" of services. The experience in Thailand provides an example of a country-wide, community-based and participatory approach utilizing facilitators and motivators at the local level to implement and sustain interventions. The experience in Thailand indicates the potential for developing effective and sustainable interventions to address iron deficiency and other micronutrient problems as part of a broad, community-based effort.

KEY WORDS: • community • sustainable interventions • iron deficiency

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