The study conducted by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, UCSB, and GAIN found that more than half of the global population is consuming inadequate levels of several essential micronutrients, such as calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E. This is the first study to provide global estimates of inadequate consumption of 15 critical micronutrients, highlighting the widespread issue of micronutrient deficiencies worldwide. These deficiencies can lead to various health consequences, from adverse pregnancy outcomes to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Using data from the Global Dietary Database, the World Bank, and dietary recall surveys in 31 countries, the researchers compared nutritional requirements with intake across 185 countries. They assessed 15 vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iodine, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E, among others. The study found significant intake inadequacies for nearly all evaluated micronutrients, with iodine, vitamin E, calcium, and iron being the most deficient nutrients across the global population.
Inadequacies in nutrient intake were more prevalent among women compared to men for certain nutrients, such as iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium. On the other hand, more men consumed inadequate levels of calcium, niacin, thiamin, and other nutrients compared to women. The researchers observed that individuals aged 10-30 were particularly at risk for low calcium intake, especially in certain regions such as South and East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, North America, Europe, and Central Asia.
The study highlights the alarming fact that a large portion of the global population, across all regions and income levels, is not consuming enough essential micronutrients. This can have significant implications for health outcomes and human potential on a global scale. The researchers emphasize the importance of identifying effective dietary interventions and targeting them to populations in need to address this public health challenge.
While the study sheds light on the widespread issue of micronutrient deficiencies globally, the researchers acknowledge limitations in available data, especially on individual dietary intake worldwide. The findings underscore the need for more comprehensive data collection and research in this area to better understand and address the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake among populations. The researchers hope that this study will inform policymakers and practitioners on the urgency of addressing these deficiencies and implementing targeted interventions to improve overall health outcomes.
