Indians are facing a micronutrient deficiency crisis: Lancet

Indians across all age groups are suffering from a deficiency of essential micronutrients like calcium, vitamin B6, iron, riboflavin, and folate, a new study showed. 

The research, published in the Lancet Global Health journal, highlighted the global crisis of micronutrient deficiency, with over half of the world’s population not consuming enough essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E. 

The study also highlighted the particularly severe situation in South Asia, where millions of people were found to be at risk of malnutrition due to inadequate intake of micronutrients. 

As per the report, Indian women across all ages were more likely to be vitamin C and iron deficient, whereas Indian men were more likely to have a vitamin A and zinc deficiency. 

Riboflavin and folate deficiency carried equal risk for both sexes. 

The study analyzed dietary intake data from around the world and found that over 60% of the global population — more than 5 billion people — is deficient in iodine, vitamin E, and calcium and over 4 billion people were found to have iron, riboflavin, folate, and vitamin C deficiencies. 

Between sexes, women were found to be more likely to have low levels of iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium, men on the other hand were more likely to be deficient in niacin, thiamin, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and B6. 

South Asia, according to the study, emerged as a region of particular concern with high rates of micronutrient deficiency among the 10-30 age bracket, especially when it came to calcium. 

This could be due to a combination of factors, including dietary habits, poverty, and limited access to nutritious foods, the study suggested. 

“The results highlight the widespread nature of insufficient micronutrient intake and emphasize the need for targeted public health interventions to address these gaps, particularly in regions with high inadequacy rates,” said the researchers. 

However, they also acknowledged the limitations of their study, which was based on available data on food intake and did not account for potential sources of nutrients from fortified foods or supplements.

The study also focused on Africa, and how it has experienced a shift from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases as the primary causes of illness and mortality. 

This epidemiological transition, according to the researchers, is closely tied to changes in dietary habits, particularly the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods that are high in calories but low in essential nutrients. 

“This work also emphasizes the importance of improving data collection methods, particularly in under-represented regions of the world such as Africa, to inform effective and equitable health policies,” said the researchers.