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A significant portion of the world's population suffers from a lack of vital vitamins and minerals
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health analysed the global prevalence of inadequate intake of 15 key micronutrients to identify nutritional gaps across different demographic groups.
Micronutrient deficiencies are a serious health problem, affecting essential nutrients such as zinc, iron, folate, vitamin A, and iodine, which increases morbidity and mortality. However, due to a lack of data, the extent and demographics of this problem remain unclear.
Research has shown that vitamin D deficiency, for example, can lead to diseases such as rickets in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults. Although there have been studies of nutrient deficiencies, there is little data on the global assessment of micronutrient deficiencies.
In this study, researchers presented global estimates of micronutrient malnutrition, stratified by age and sex. Dietary intake data from 31 countries were analyzed, including individual participant-level data and nutrient data collected using 24-hour food questionnaires, food diaries, or dietary records.
They used data from the Global Nutrition Database (GDD) to estimate median micronutrient intakes for different age and sex categories in 185 countries. The scientists used probabilistic methods to estimate the prevalence of deficiency by comparing estimated intakes with the distribution of nutrient requirements.
Estimates have shown that about five billion people (68%) have insufficient iodine, calcium (66%) and vitamin E (67%) intakes. More than four billion people have insufficient iron (65%), folate (54%), ascorbic acid (53%) and riboflavin (55%) intakes.
Women in most countries and age groups showed higher levels of insufficient intake of vitamin B12, iodine, selenium and iron compared to men, while men showed higher levels of deficiency of vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin C, zinc, vitamin A, niacin and thiamine.
Some countries showed deviations from the general trend. For example, India had high levels of inadequate intake of folate, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar had particularly low intakes of niacin, and Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Russia had particularly low intakes of selenium.
The study identified key global nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin E, iodine, iron, calcium, folate and riboflavin. Understanding these patterns can help identify where interventions, such as dietary changes, biofortification and supplements, are needed.
Correlating nutritional deficiencies can improve the effectiveness of intervention delivery. The results can help public health professionals develop targeted nutrition programs and policies. However, further research into the causes and severity of deficiencies is needed before implementing fortification, supplementation, and dietary intervention strategies in specific regions.