A survey by the Health Ministry shows that 4.1% of children in the country are malnourished and underweight, and 4% are severely malnourished, said Dr. Ali Akbar Sayyari, deputy minister of health.
Prevalence of goiter among children is about 5.7% and Ilam Province has the highest rate at 9.2%, IRNA reported.
Zinc deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies. “At present, 13% of children under the age of 6 years and 20% aged 15-20 suffer from zinc deficiency,” he said.
He also pointed to Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and said 11% of adolescents and 28% of women are Vitamin A deficient.
VAD is the leading cause of blindness in children and increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections. In pregnant women VAD causes night blindness and may increase the risk of maternal mortality. Earlier, Sayyari had warned that 20% of the population suffers from some kind of malnutrition.
Many obese people suffer from malnutrition, which does not necessarily mean starvation. People who consume excess calories may also face a deficit of vitamins and minerals.
