Billions of people around the world suffer from malnutrition. In developing countries, staggering numbers of people are undernourished—they do not get enough food, or enough nutrients, required to lead healthy productive lives. Micronutrient malnutrition, also known as “hidden hunger,” is a specific type of malnutrition caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet, such as
vitamin A, zinc, and iron, which are essential for good health.

Micronutrient malnutrition can lower IQ, cause stunting and blindness in children, lower resistance to disease in both children and adults, and significantly increases risks for both mothers and infants during childbirth. The costs in terms of lives lost and reduced quality of life are overwhelming. In this section, you can learn more about the prevalence and impact of specific micronutrient deficiencies.

While many micronutrients are available from fruits, vegetables, and animal products, most of the poor are unable to grow, or buy, these micronutrient-rich foods. Their diets are characterized by high intakes of staple food crops (such as maize, wheat and rice), but low consumption of micronutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and animal and fish products. By providing a regular ‘daily dose’ of vitamins and minerals, biofortified staple crops do not need to provide the entire recommended daily allowance (RDA) of micronutrients, but they can be an effective in reducing hidden hunger as part of a strategy that includes dietary diversification, supplementation and commercial fortification, among others.