Micronutrient report : current progress and trends in the control of vitamin A, iodine, and iron deficiencies

Micronutrient deficiencies are a significant cause of malnutrition and associated ill health throughout the world. This is particularly true in the developing world where nearly 20% of the population suffers from iodine deficiency about 25% of children have subclinical vitamin A deficiency and more than 40% of women are anaemic. Micronutrient deficiencies also lead to impaired growth and cognitive development birth defects cretinism and blindness as well as decreased school and work performance and poor general health. The Micronutrient Report summarizes current data on the prevalence of vitamin A iodine and iron deficiencies and reports on the implementation and progress of programs to battle these deficiencies in developing countries. Prepared by the Department of International Health at Tulane University the Micronutrient Initiative and UNICEF this report is the first in what will be a ongoing series on the state of micronutrient nutrition and the battle against micronutrient deficiency. It sets a reference point by which priorities for program content and coverage can be better informed and a baseline from which progress in deficiency prevention can be measured. Part 1 summarizes prevalence trends for deficiencies of vitamin A iodine and iron; part 2 describes the status of current programs aimed at preventing or reducing micronutrient deficiencies. The report is illustrated with numerous statistical tables figures and maps. (authors)