Micronutrient Deficiencies Coined "hidden hunger" because of its ability to negatively affect even wellfed individuals, deficiency in micronutrients affects individuals across
Ways to Reduce or Prevent Micronutrient Deficiencies:
Why is hidden hunger a problem?
Taking multivitamins Supplementation campaigns (efforts to administer micronutrient supplements to at-risk populations) Food fortification (the process of adding micronutrients to food, i.e. iodized salt, folic acid and iron added to bread) (12)
Deficiencies in micronutrients can lead to issues such as: immunodeficiency physical and mental developmental delays (especially in children) blindness and vision problems
the globe.
general diminished quality of life and ability to complete daily tasks
What are Micronutrients? Micronutrients are essential components of the human diet necessary for proper physiologic functioning, which are consumed in small quantities.
Though all people can experience negative effects from prolonged inadequate intake of or access to micronutrients, children and pregnant women are most drastically affected by this issue due to the role micronutrients can plan in proper growth and development (13).
Nations most affected by hidden hunger can be seen in
Figure 6.
Much of what contributes to high rates of hidden hunger can
Some of the most common and most
iron, zinc, calcium, iodine, and important vitamins such as Vitamin A, BVitamins, and Vitamin C. important micronutrients include
simply include lack of access to quality food sources due to financial and/or infrastructure barriers. However, even the most wealthy countries can still be affected by this.
Efforts to reduce the prevalence and/or effects of micronutrient deficiencies have shown positive effects suggesting they are indeed effective in combatting this issue.
Figure 7 shows the
positive effect on growth seen in schoolchildren taking a zinc + multivitamin supplement, a change in height of 3.6 cm +/- 0.6 cm
Global Hidden Hunger Scores Among Preschool-Aged Children (determined based on prevalence of stunting, anemia due to iron deficiency, and Vitamin A deficiency)
for children with no supplementation, and 4.9 +/- 1.3 cm for children taking a zinc + multivitamin supplement.
No supplement
Where can Micronutrients be Found?
With zinc + multivitamin 0
Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds,
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Figure 7. Rerksuppaphol S, Rerksuppaphol L. Effect of zinc plus multivitamin supplementation on growth in school children. Pediatr Int. doi: 10.1111/ped.13011. Published August 31, 2016. Accessed March 24th, 2021.
beans and legumes, whole wheat, fish, eggs, high-quality meat, and dairy can all be excellent sources of micronutrients.
Are prevention strategies effective?
Figure 6. Ritchie H, Roser M. Micronutrient Deficiency. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/micronutrient-deficiency. Published August 11, 2017. Accessed February 26, 2021.
"I personally see this as a drastically overlooked issue for which there is insufficient research. I believe every country in the world can be affected like this and it can be extremely beneficial to even be slightly more aware of your personal micronutrient access and intake." - Meg Tharp
