New Delhi: A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals that people across India, regardless of age or gender, are consuming inadequate amounts of essential micronutrients such as iron, calcium, and folate. The study, led by an international team including researchers from Harvard University, is the first to provide estimates of insufficient consumption of 15 micronutrients across 185 countries based on dietary intake without supplements.
Globally, the findings are alarming: nearly 70% of the world’s population over five billion people are not getting enough iodine, vitamin E, and calcium. The study also highlights gender disparities in nutrient intake. In India, for example, more women consume insufficient amounts of iodine compared to men, while men are more likely to have inadequate levels of zinc and magnesium.
The research points out that men and women aged 10-30 years are particularly vulnerable to low calcium intake, especially in regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. This deficiency could have long-term health consequences, making it a critical issue for public health professionals to address through targeted dietary interventions.
However, the researchers caution that their results might overestimate the prevalence of certain nutrient deficiencies in areas where fortified foods and supplements are widely consumed, as these factors were not accounted for in the study.
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