chapter 03
What is hidden hunger ?
A child in Haiti
What causes micronutrient deficiency?
Micronutrient Deficiency in the Developing World
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Hidden hunger does not refer to the overt and obvious hunger of individuals who are unable to afford enough to eat. It refers to the deficiencies of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in individuals or populations as a consequence of poor dietary quality, which negatively impacts on health, cognition, function, survival and economic development. Hidden hunger is a growing problem that affects both the developing and the developed world. The most obvious victims are the 2 billion people in developing countries whose diet does not provide them with the vitamins and minerals they need – usually because they cannot afford or cannot obtain the nutritious foods they need. But hidden hunger also claims victims in the developed world – people who certainly do not look hungry. A prime example could be where obesity or being overweight can be a sign that their bodies are still hungry for crucial micronutrients. The impact of hidden hunger is huge: globally stunted growth and anemia in children are a major cause of health problems in later life, particularly the increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity and chronic diseases. This has terrible personal and social consequences. It also results in a double burden for the health systems, with associated massive health costs and a negative impact on economic productivity. Dr Klaus Kraemer, Director of Sight and Life, believes that the ‘missing link’ between health and food needs addressing as a matter of urgency: “Micronutrient deficiency is often a hidden problem where people may have an adequate supply of energy from the food they eat, but the nutritional value is insufficient to meet their needs for optimal growth and development. Hidden hunger is underrecognized, and not enough is done to combat this problem, which not only results in long-term health problems for individuals but also impacts on the health of communities. It eventually has huge economic consequences, especially for developing countries.”
The main reasons for micronutrient deficiencies are: > Poor quality diet > Low bioavailability > Poor knowledge and caring practices > Low income > Seasonal variation in food availability > Cultural factors and beliefs > Increased requirement due to losses and infections
The consequences of malnutrition The consequences of malnutrition are severe and long-lasting – not only for the individuals affected by this debilitating condition but also for the societies of which they form a part. Dr Dirk Schroeder, the Adjunct Associate Professor of Global Health at Emory University, defines them thus: “Children who are malnourished have longer and more severe illnesses and have a higher risk of dying compared to better-nourished children.