Feasibility of field implementation of fortified lentils to improve iron status status of adolescent girls in Bangladesh

............................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................. viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................. ix CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background........................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Research question............................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Statement of purpose.......................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Study aims.......................................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 2 – LITERATURE REVIEW OF IRON FORTIFICATION 2.1 Current global practice and challenges of fortification...................................................... 5 2.2 Significance in global and regional context....................................................................... 6 2.3 Successful iron fortification projects and key challenges.................................................. 7 2.4 Iron fortification strategiesrationale, challenges and alternatives for Bangladesh.......... 15 2.4.1 Iron fortificants suitable for Bangladesh ........................................................................ 16 2.4.2 Alternatives to iron fortification...................................................................................... 17 2.5 Iron fortification strategiesrationale, challenges and alternatives for Canada................. 18 2.5.1 Iron fortificants suitable for Canada................................................................................ 18 2.5.2 Alternatives to iron fortification...................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 3 – MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Field set-up logistics.......................................................................................................... 21 3.1.1 Study setting.................................................................................................................... 21 3.1.2 Sourcing of lentils........................................................................................................... 21 3.1.3 Required amount of lentils and shipment........................................................................ 22 3.1.4 Lentil fortification with iron............................................................................................ 22 3.1.5 Pre-trial informal discussion........................................................................................... 22 3.1.6 Standardized daal recipe.................................................................................................. 23 3.1.7 Data collection workforce and responsibilities............................................................... 24 3.1.8 Workforce plan................................................................................................................ 25