Strategies to Combat Hidden Hunger

Nutritional deficiency in hidden hunger comes from the lack of essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs to sustain life. Mainly it is caused by a lack of micronutrients such as vitamin A, zinc, and iron in the diet (Bouis and Islam, 2011). Without a balanced diet, the body does not get enough of these micronutrients and cannot function at optimal levels, which results in developmental issues and a host of related various vitamin deficiencies. Hidden hunger impairs the mental and physical development of children and adolescents and can result in lower IQ, stunting, and blindness. Also, according to a 2011 study by Bouis and Islam, it can reduce the productivity of adult men and women due to increased risk of illness and reduced work capacity.

The people who are most affected by micronutrient deficiencies are young children and women of child bearing age. It should be noted that this issue is more prevalent in developing countries. Hidden hunger prevalence in developing as well as developed countries is caused by lack of knowledge about food and nutrition. Moreover, in developing countries, nutritious food is not always available in terms of vicinity and affordability (AGR partners, 2013).  Altogether it is clear that the issue of malnutrition, and specially hidden hunger, highlights the importance of eating a balanced diet.

Dietary diversity is the ultimate long-term solution to minimizing hidden hunger. This will require substantial increases in income for the poor so they are able to afford more nutritious non-staple foods such as vegetables, fruits, and animal products. Bio-fortification can be effective in reducing hidden hunger as part of a strategy that includes dietary diversification and other interventions such as supplementation and commercial fortification.

In addition to biofortification and dietary diversification, there are two main types of interventions to prevent and combat vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can be deployed individually or in combination: short-term supplementation and medium-term food fortification (BMZ, 2012). Food supplements are highly concentrated vitamins and minerals produced by pharmaceutical manufacturers in the form of capsules, tablets or injections and administered as part of health care or specific nutrition campaigns (Copenhagen Consensus Center, 2009). Vitamin capsules and iodine and iron tablets are widely produced as supplements.

Thilini Jayasinghe
BSc (Sri Lanka), MSc (PGIA, Sri Lanka), MSc (Sydney)
Nutritionist