title: Dietary calcium and zinc deficiency risks are decreasing but remain prevalent.
abstract: Globally, more than 800 million people are undernourished while >2 billion people have one or more chronic micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs). More than 6% of global mortality and morbidity burdens are associated with undernourishment and MNDs. Here we show that, in 2011, 3.5 and 1.1 billion people were at risk of calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) deficiency respectively due to inadequate dietary supply. The global mean dietary supply of Ca and Zn in 2011 was 684 ± 211 and 16 ± 3 mg capita(-1) d(-1) (± SD) respectively. Between 1992 and 2011, global risk of deficiency of Ca and Zn decreased from 76 to 51%, and 22 to 16%, respectively. Approximately 90% of those at risk of Ca and Zn deficiency in 2011 were in Africa and Asia. To our knowledge, these are the first global estimates of dietary Ca deficiency risks based on food supply. We conclude that continuing to reduce Ca and Zn deficiency risks through dietary diversification and food and agricultural interventions including fortification, crop breeding and use of micronutrient fertilisers will remain a significant challenge.
authors.affiliation: 1] School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK [2] Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK [3] Crops For the Future, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Diriba B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Kumssa
authors.affiliation: 1] School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK [2] Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
authors.forename: Edward J M
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Joy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
authors.forename: E Louise
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Ander
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Crops For the Future, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Broadley
mesh_terms: D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010833:Phytic Acid; D015032:Zinc