Iron-biofortified pearl millet consumption increases physical activity in Indian adolescent schoolchildren after a 6-month randomised feeding trial

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency has negative effects on voluntary physical activity (PA); however, the impact of consuming iron-biofortified staple foods on voluntary PA remains unclear. This study compared the effects of consuming iron-biofortified pearl millet or a conventional pearl millet on measures of voluntary PA in Indian school children (ages 12-16 years) during a six-month randomized, controlled feeding trial. PA data were collected from 130 children using Actigraph GT3X accelerometers for six days at baseline and endline. Minutes spent in light and in moderate-to-vigorous PA were calculated from accelerometer counts using Crouter’s refined two-regression model for children. Mixed regression models adjusting for covariates were used to assess relationships between intervention treatment or change in iron status and physical activity. Results: Children who consumed iron-biofortified pearl millet performed 22.3 (95% CI: 1.8, 42.8, p = 0.034) more minutes of light PA each day compared to conventional pearl millet. There was no effect of treatment on moderate-to-vigorous PA. The amount of iron consumed from pearl millet was related to minutes spent in light PA (estimate and 95% CI: 3.4 min/mg iron (0.3 to 6.5, p = 0.031)) and inversely related to daily sedentary minutes (estimate and 95% CI: −5.4 min/mg iron (−9.9 to −0.9, p = 0.020)). Conclusion: Consuming iron-biofortified pearl millet increased light PA and decreased sedentary time in Indian school children in a dose-dependent manner.

Production and cultivation dynamics of millets in India

“…Total iron absorption from iron-biofortified pearl millet composite meals was double than regular meals (Cercamondi et al, 2013). An earlier bioefficacy study indicated that students from Indian schools had a 65% decrease in iron deficiency due to the daily intake of 232 g of iron-biofortified pearl millet flour (Pompano et al, 2022). These results support the use of biofortified millets as a sustained food strategy for populations facing a greater risk of iron deficiency.…”

A literature review of the relation between iron deficiency anaemia, physical activity and cognitive function in adolescent girls

“…17 The sixth study was conducted at the Pennsylvania State University with the subjects being female students. 18 The 7th and 8th study were conducted in India 19 and Newcastle University, Australia, 20 while the ninth study was conducted in Maharashtra, India with the subjects being female students aged 12-16 years. 21 The tenth study was conducted in El Minya province, Upper Egypt with the subjects being female teenagers.…”