Micronutrient deficiencies

Micronutrient malnutrition (MNM) is widespread in the industrialized nations, but even more so in the developing regions of the world. It can affect all age groups, but young children and women of reproductive age tend to be among those most at risk of developing micronutrient deficiencies. Micronutrient malnutrition has many adverse effects on human health, not all of which are clinically evident. Even moderate levels of deficiency (which can be detected by biochemical or clinical measurements) can have serious detrimental effects on human function. Thus, in addition to the obvious and direct health effects, the existence of MNM has profound implications for economic development and productivity, particularly in terms of the potentially huge public health costs and the loss of human capital formation.

Prevalence of the three major micronutrient deficiencies in Eastern Mediterranean Region 

a Based on the proportion of the population with haemoglobin concentrations below established cut-off levels.
b Based on the proportion of the population with urinary iodine <100μg/l.
c Based on the proportion of the population with clinical eye signs and/or serum retinol ≤0.70μmol/l.

Sources:

Iron deficiency anaemia: assessment, prevention, and control. A guide for programme managers. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2001 (WHO/NHD/01.3).
de Benoist B et al., eds. Iodine status worldwide. WHO Global Database on Iodine Deficiency. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2004.
Global Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency. Micronutrient Deficiency Information System working paper No. 2. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1995 (WHO/ NUT/95.3.).

Iodine deficiency

Iron deficiency anaemia

Vitamin A deficiency