Over 50% of people have Micronutrient deficiency in their diet : Alarming results of a study says

Researchers of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition have published a new study about micronutrient deficiency in the global population. According to the study, four key nutrients are deficient in more than 50% of the population’s diet. While this is a pioneer study to estimate nutrient deficiency in the global population, the results are alarming.

How does micronutrient deficiency affect us?

According to the study, micronutrient deficiency is a common form of malnutrition worldwide. From adverse pregnancy situations to blindness, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases, inadequate micronutrient consumption can have a lot of negative health impacts.

To quote the co-lead author Chris Free, he said, “Our study is a big step forward. Not only because it is the first time to estimate inadequate micronutrient intakes for 34 age-sex groups in nearly every country, but also because it makes these methods and results easily accessible to researchers and practitioners.”

Key micronutrient deficiency

Although the study took into account 15 micronutrients, four key nutrients are catching the attention of the global population. For instance, 68% of the entire population doesn’t consume adequate iodine. This number is 67% for vitamin E, 66% for calcium and 65% for iron. While it may seem trivial to a lot of people, the limitation it poses on human potential is huge.

Ty Beal, a senior technical specialist at GAIN said, “The results are alarming. Most people, even more than previously thought, across all regions and countries of all incomes- are not consuming enough of multiple essential micronutrients. These gaps compromise health outcomes and limit human potential on a global scale.”

Final Words:

This study about micronutrient deficiency was extensive and well-conducted because the researchers have studied the populations of 185 countries. Similarly, they made it inclusive by dividing them into males and females belonging to 17 age groups. They have used secondary data from the Global Dietary Base, the World Bank, and dietary recall surveys. While the results are alarming, they are not shocking. According to sources, it is time to research how the global population can come out of this micronutrient deficiency zone. It is high time the authorities think about health to realize maximum human potential at the global level.