Over 50% of the Global Population Lacks These Essential Micronutrients for Health, Study Finds

A new study conducted by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has revealed that more than half of the world's population consumes insufficient levels of crucial micronutrients such as calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E. This research, published in The Lancet Global Health on August 29, is the first to offer global estimates of inadequate consumption of 15 essential micronutrients.

Micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as “hidden hunger,” are a widespread form of malnutrition and pose serious health risks. Each deficiency brings specific consequences, ranging from adverse pregnancy outcomes and blindness to increased vulnerability to infectious diseases. Previous research has primarily focused on the availability and consumption of these micronutrients, but this new study assesses whether the levels consumed meet health requirements and examines the deficiencies in males and females throughout their lifespans.

Chris Free, a co-lead author of the study and research professor at UCSB, described the research as a significant milestone. He pointed out that it is the first study to estimate inadequate micronutrient intake across 34 age-sex groups in nearly every country globally. The study’s methods and findings have also been made accessible to researchers and practitioners, aiming to support efforts to combat malnutrition.

The researchers used data from the Global Dietary Database, the World Bank, and dietary recall surveys conducted in 31 countries. The study assessed nutritional intake among populations in 185 countries, dividing them into 17 age groups, ranging from newborns to individuals over 80 years old. The 15 vitamins and minerals studied included calcium, iodine, iron, riboflavin, folate, zinc, magnesium, selenium, thiamin, niacin, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and E.

The findings revealed substantial inadequacies in micronutrient intake, particularly for iodine (68% of the global population), vitamin E (67%), calcium (66%), and iron (65%). Over half of the global population was found to consume insufficient levels of riboflavin, folate, and vitamins C and B6. The study also highlighted that inadequate intake was more common in women for micronutrients like iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium, whereas men had higher rates of deficiency for calcium, niacin, thiamin, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and B6.

Ty Beal, a senior technical specialist at GAIN, emphasized the troubling nature of the findings, noting that a significant portion of the global population is not receiving enough essential micronutrients, leading to adverse health outcomes and restricting human potential. Senior author Christopher Golden from Harvard Chan School stressed the need for targeted dietary interventions, urging policymakers to focus on the most vulnerable populations.

While the study offers critical insights, the researchers acknowledged limitations due to the lack of comprehensive data on individual dietary intake across different regions of the world.

(Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)