Why is iron important? What happens when there is deficiency of iron in the diet?

Deficiency of iron results in anaemia. Anaemia and iron deficiency seriously affect the health, survival and wellbeing of women, the physical and mental status of their new-borns, their cognitive development and overall work performance as they grow into adults. The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS 4 2016) revealed that over half of children and women in India are severely affected by anaemia. According to the Global Disease Burden Report, iron-deficiency anaemia remains the top cause of disability in the country for the past 10 years.