Age and gender as factors in the distribution of global micronutrient deficiencies.
Although micronutrient deficiency is a global problem, the burden is not evenly shared within affected households. This review suggests that there are important non-linearities in relationships among food intake, sharing, and caring behavior within the household. Since micronutrient status relates to interactions among biological, social, behavioral, economic, and environmental processes, outcomes are not always predictable by age, gender, or location. Understanding such variability is crucial to identifying appropriate solutions. This review represents an exploratory first step toward unmasking population-specific variations that are important for better understanding the nature of micronutrient deficiencies and for improving the focus of public health action.
Webb
Patrick
P
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, 150 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA. patrick.webb@tufts.edu
Nishida
Chizuru
C
Darnton-Hill
Ian
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency*; D011634:Public Health; D012737:Sex Factors
D018977:Micronutrients