Micronutrient deficiencies among preschool-aged children and women of reproductive age worldwide: a pooled analysis of individual-level data from population-representative surveys
- PMID: 36240826
- PMCID: PMC10918648
- DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00367-9
Micronutrient deficiencies among preschool-aged children and women of reproductive age worldwide: a pooled analysis of individual-level data from population-representative surveys
Abstract
Background: Micronutrient deficiencies compromise immune systems, hinder child growth and development, and affect human potential worldwide. Yet, to our knowledge, the only existing estimate of the global prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies is from over 30 years ago and is based only on the prevalence of anaemia. We aimed to estimate the global and regional prevalence of deficiency in at least one of three micronutrients among preschool-aged children (aged 6-59 months) and non-pregnant women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years).
Methods: In this pooled analysis, we reanalysed individual-level biomarker data for micronutrient status from nationally representative, population-based surveys. We used Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression to estimate the prevalence of deficiency in at least one of three micronutrients for preschool-aged children (iron, zinc, and vitamin A) and for non-pregnant women of reproductive age (iron, zinc, and folate), globally and in seven regions using 24 nationally representative surveys done between 2003 and 2019.
Findings: We estimated the global prevalence of deficiency in at least one of three micronutrients to be 56% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 48-64) among preschool-aged children, and 69% (59-78) among non-pregnant women of reproductive age, equivalent to 372 million (95% UI 319-425) preschool-aged children and 1·2 billion (1·0-1·4) non-pregnant women of reproductive age. Regionally, three-quarters of preschool-aged children with micronutrient deficiencies live in south Asia (99 million, 95% UI 80-118), sub-Saharan Africa (98 million, 83-113), or east Asia and the Pacific (85 million, 61-110). Over half (57%) of non-pregnant women of reproductive age with micronutrient deficiencies live in east Asia and the Pacific (384 million, 279-470) or south Asia (307 million, 255-351).
Interpretation: We estimate that over half of preschool-aged children and two-thirds of non-pregnant women of reproductive age worldwide have micronutrient deficiencies. However, estimates are uncertain due to the scarcity of population-based micronutrient deficiency data.
Funding: US Agency for International Development.
Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests.
Figures
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Comment in
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Alleviating hidden hunger: an infallible bridge to improved health and nutrition.Lancet Glob Health. 2022 Nov;10(11):e1539-e1540. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00421-1. Lancet Glob Health. 2022. PMID: 36240811 No abstract available.
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Locally validated biomarker cutoffs should inform micronutrient deficiency burdens.Lancet Glob Health. 2023 Mar;11(3):e338. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00003-7. Lancet Glob Health. 2023. PMID: 36796977 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
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Locally validated biomarker cutoffs should inform micronutrient deficiency burdens - Authors' reply.Lancet Glob Health. 2023 Mar;11(3):e339. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00018-9. Lancet Glob Health. 2023. PMID: 36796978 No abstract available.
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