In 2012, the estimated global prevalence of inadequate zinc intake across all ages — the proportion of the population who have a high risk of zinc deficiency — was approximately 17%.[1] However, the estimated prevalence varied widely among countries, reaching approximately 8% in high-income countries, and much higher in low-income and middle-income regions (e.g., approximately 26% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 30% in South Asia).[1] Recent work published in 2020 confirmed these high prevalence estimates of zinc deficiency in low-income and middle-income countries.[2]
Importantly, the estimated prevalence of zinc deficiency in children less than 5 years of age is also high (greater than 20%) in both high-income[3] and low-income/middle-income countries.[2]
References
- ^K Ryan Wessells, Kenneth H BrownEstimating the global prevalence of zinc deficiency: results based on zinc availability in national food supplies and the prevalence of stuntingPLoS One.(2012)
- ^Gupta S, Brazier AKM, Lowe NMZinc deficiency in low- and middle-income countries: prevalence and approaches for mitigation.J Hum Nutr Diet.(2020-Oct)
- ^Vreugdenhil M, Akkermans MD, van der Merwe LF, van Elburg RM, van Goudoever JB, Brus FPrevalence of Zinc Deficiency in Healthy 1-3-Year-Old Children from Three Western European Countries.Nutrients.(2021-Oct-22)