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Zinc deficiency in low- and middle-income countries: prevalence and approaches for mitigation
- Source :
- Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic AssociationReferences. 33(5)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- This review addresses the prevalence of zinc deficiency in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) and assesses the available strategies for its alleviation. The paucity of national-level data on the zinc deficiency in LMICs is partially a result of the lack of a reliable biomarker. Zinc deficiency appears to be a public health problem in almost all the LMICs, irrespective of the recommended indicators (plasma zinc concentration, dietary zinc adequacy and stunting prevalence) used. Based on plasma/serum zinc concentration (PZC), which is the most appropriate indicator at present, the prevalence of zinc deficiency in LMICs is of concern. Among the 25 countries for which national PZC data were available, 23 had a zinc deficiency prevalence of >20% for at least one physiological group. Zinc supplementation is largely restricted as an adjunct therapy for diarrhoea management in children, and the best platform and the most effective way of preventive zinc supplementation delivery remains to be established. Impact assessment for current zinc fortification programmes in LMICs and the effectiveness of zinc supplementation as part of a multi-micronutrient powder is to be determined. Dietary diversification, though promising for LMICs, is in the nascent stages of development at present. Inclusion of meat and animal products can be an important way of improving zinc status. Programmatic experience with the promotion of home processing techniques to increase absorbable zinc in the diet is lacking. Conventional biofortification techniques are gaining recognition in LMICs; however, transgenic biofortification as a strategy remains controversial.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Biofortification
Medicine (miscellaneous)
chemistry.chemical_element
Nutritional Status
030209 endocrinology & metabolism
Zinc
B400
Global Health
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Environmental health
medicine
Prevalence
Humans
Child
Developing Countries
Poverty
Plasma zinc
Growth Disorders
030109 nutrition & dietetics
Nutrition and Dietetics
business.industry
Public health
Dietary diversification
medicine.disease
Micronutrient
chemistry
Low and middle income countries
Dietary Supplements
Food, Fortified
Zinc deficiency
Female
Diet, Healthy
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1365277X and 09523871
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic AssociationReferences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....ed786f7b4bb2cb8fa1cdba0699f4e1d4