04-07-2025
Workshop on addressing ‘hidden hunger' begins at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru
A national workshop organised by the CSIR-CFTRI, the Innovation Hub for Rice Fortification, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, began in Mysuru on Friday to evaluate the progress made so far in addressing 'hidden hunger' — the widespread micronutrient deficiencies that continue to pose significant public health challenges.
The workshop's concept note, quoting the Global Burden of Disease 2021, states that the global prevalence of anaemia stands at 24.3%, with dietary iron deficiency being the leading cause. Anaemia accounts for approximately 52.1 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) globally, of which iron deficiency alone contributes around 34.5 million DALYs (60%). In India, dietary iron deficiency is responsible for an estimated 12 million DALYs, it added.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), 59% of women aged 15–49 years, and 67% of children aged 6–59 months in India are anaemic. Further, Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), 2016-18, data shows that 50-70% of anaemia cases are due to deficiencies of iron, folate (B9), and Vitamin B12, it stated.
The note also highlighted that Vitamin A and D deficiencies pose significant public health challenges. CNNS data indicate that 61% of children under the age of five are Vitamin A deficient, while 50% of children aged one to four years lack adequate Vitamin D.
