title: The Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies and  Inadequacies in the Middle East and Approaches to  Interventions.
abstract: Micronutrient deficiencies and inadequacies constitute a global health issue, particularly among countries in the Middle East. The objective of this review is to identify micronutrient deficits in the Middle East and to consider current and new approaches to address this problem. Based on the availability of more recent data, this review is primarily focused on countries that are in advanced nutrition transition. Prominent deficits in folate, iron, and vitamin D are noted among children/adolescents, women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and the elderly. Reports indicate that food fortification in the region is sporadic and ineffective, and the use of dietary supplements is low. Nutrition monitoring in the region is limited, and gaps in relevant information present challenges for implementing new policies and approaches to address the problem. Government-sponsored initiatives are necessary to assess current dietary intakes/patterns, support nutrition education, and to reduce food insecurity, especially among vulnerable population groups. Public-private partnerships should be considered in targeting micronutrient fortification programs and supplementation recommendations as approaches to help alleviate the burden of micronutrient deficiencies and inadequacies in the Middle East.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon. nahla@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Nahla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hwalla
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Health Department, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE. ayesha_aldhaheri@uaeu.ac.ae.
authors.forename: Ayesha Salem
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Al Dhaheri
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Department, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. Hradwan@sharjah.ac.ae.
authors.forename: Hadia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Radwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. halfawaz@ksu.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Hanan Abdullah
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Alfawaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, College of medicine and KSUMC, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. monafoudaneel@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mona A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fouda
authors.affiliation: Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ndaghri@ksu.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Nasser Mohammed
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Al-Daghri
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Requirements and Growth, National Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt. zaghloulsahar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaghloul
authors.affiliation: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 20111, USA. jeffrey.blumberg@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Blumberg
mesh_terms: D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003906:Developing Countries; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D006293:Health Promotion; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000191:economics; D014480:United Nations; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients
keywords: Middle East;  deficiency;  dietary supplementation;  food  fortification;  inadequacy;  micronutrient