A recent study published in The Lancet reveals that individuals across all age groups in India are deficient in essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and folate. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) found that people in India are not consuming adequate amounts of these critical nutrients.
The study, which analyzed dietary consumption patterns in 185 countries, highlighted that billions of people worldwide suffer from deficiencies in 15 essential micronutrients. Notably, over five billion people globally do not get enough iodine, vitamin E, and calcium from their diets without supplementation.
In India, women are found to consume lower levels of iodine compared to men, while men are more likely to have insufficient levels of zinc and magnesium. The study further noted that individuals aged 10-30 years, particularly in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, are at a higher risk of low calcium intake.
Micronutrient deficiencies are one of the most prevalent forms of malnutrition globally, the researchers emphasized. These deficiencies can lead to severe health issues, including adverse pregnancy outcomes, blindness, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases.
Chris Free, the study’s co-lead author and a research professor at UCSB, stated that this research marks a significant advancement by providing the first comprehensive estimates of inadequate micronutrient intakes across 34 demographic groups based on age and sex in nearly every country.
Globally, more than half of the population is deficient in riboflavin, folate, and vitamins C and B6. The study found that niacin intake is closest to adequate, with 22% of the global population not consuming enough, followed by thiamin (30%) and selenium (37%). Micronutrient deficiencies were observed to vary significantly by sex, with men and women aged 10-30 being particularly susceptible to low calcium intake, especially in South and East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The study also found low calcium intake in regions such as North America, Europe, and Central Asia. In India, estimated deficiencies in riboflavin, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 were particularly high. As reported by indiatoday.in, the researchers noted that the study did not account for the consumption of fortified foods or supplements, which could mean that the actual deficiency rates might be overestimated in areas where such foods are commonly consumed.