Hidden hunger and its prevention by food processing: A review

Abstract

Hunger means dietary intake that does not provide the kind and quantity of food that is needed for growth, activity and the maintenance of good health. Hunger comes in many guises, four of which (i.e. starvation, undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency and nutrient depleting diseases) serve as indices of hunger in compiling global estimates. Micronutrient deficiency is a global challenge to health. Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) have huge impact on health of vulnerable population like women and children and have jeopardized the national economy and prosperity of developing countries. Micronutrients are nutrients required by the body in small amounts for normal physiologic functions. Despite the minuscule demand for micronutrients by the body, their deficiency results in a number of health complications. Globally, more than 2 billion people are affected by micronutrient deficiency where developing world takes most of the burdens. To make things worse, micronutrient deficiency often goes unnoticed for a long time in individuals before symptoms become apparent. Large scale interventions through fortification, biofortification, biotechnology and supplementation of micronutrients to circumvent the devastating consequences of micronutrient deficiencies are showing a great progress by reducing the number of morbidity and mortality attributed to them.