Dietary calcium and zinc deficiency risks are decreasing but remain prevalent

Kumssa, Diriba B.; Joy, Edward J.M.; Ander, E. Louise; Watts, Michael J.; Young, Scott D.; Walker, Sue; Broadley, Martin R.. 2015 Dietary calcium and zinc deficiency risks are decreasing but remain prevalent. Scientific Reports, 5, 10974. 10.1038/srep10974

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Abstract/Summary

Globally, more than 800 million people are undernourished while >2 billion people have one or more chronic micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs). More than 6% of global mortality and morbidity burdens are associated with undernourishment and MNDs. Here we show that, in 2011, 3.5 and 1.1 billion people were at risk of calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) deficiency respectively due to inadequate dietary supply. The global mean dietary supply of Ca and Zn in 2011 was 684 ± 211 and 16 ± 3 mg capita−1 d−1 (±SD) respectively. Between 1992 and 2011, global risk of deficiency of Ca and Zn decreased from 76 to 51%, and 22 to 16%, respectively. Approximately 90% of those at risk of Ca and Zn deficiency in 2011 were in Africa and Asia. To our knowledge, these are the first global estimates of dietary Ca deficiency risks based on food supply. We conclude that continuing to reduce Ca and Zn deficiency risks through dietary diversification and food and agricultural interventions including fortification, crop breeding and use of micronutrient fertilisers will remain a significant challenge.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1038/srep10974
ISSN:	2045-2322
Date made live:	07 Jul 2015 10:21 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/511257

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