Abstract: Anemia in women of reproductive age is a major public health challenge for low- and middle-income countries with a long-term adverse impact on the health of women, their children, and the economic growth of the society. The present was aimed to know the consumption of iron-rich foods among women. The information regarding the food frequency consumption of green leafy vegetables, non-vegetarian foods, dry fruits, and symptoms related to anemia were collected using the questionnaire. The questionnaire was framed in Google form and the link was sent to the female population through WhatsApp and around 125 respondents submitted the forms completely. Incomplete forms were excluded from the study. It was found that consumption of green leafy vegetables was low as only three percent and two percent of the participants consumed moringa leaves and agathi daily. Only seven percent and five percent of the respondents included palak and amaranth leaves weekly thrice in their diet. Also, 48% and 44% of the participants reported that they never consumed organ meats like blood and brain. Nearly 28% and 34% of the study participants never consumed Figs and Apricots. Regarding the symptoms of anemia, 32±6.8 female respondents claimed to have fatigue/tiredness, 9±1.4 of them reported that they had pale skin, 8±1.8 had shortness of breath, 8±2.2 with light-headedness, 9±2.6 had dizziness and 7±1.6 had palpitations/fast heartbeat. The essential goal for every woman is to have none of the given symptoms or iron deficiency disorders so that none of the women suffers since it is easily prevented just through spreading awareness and neglecting this can pose life-threatening conditions.

Key words: anemia, consumption, food frequency, iron-rich foods, symptoms

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2022.95105