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Food Science 2019
November 11-12, 2019
Food Science and Technology
November 11-12, 2019 | London, UK
3
rd
International Conference on
Volume 3
Applied Food Science Journal
Appl Food Sci J. | Volume 3
Hidden hunger - A few examples of contemporary challenges
Weiguo Zhang
Independent physician-scientist, USA
A
ccording to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, zero hunger should be realized by
2030. While this promises the intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fat), inadequate/insufficient
intake or bioavailability of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) which is called hidden hunger, may be improved
or unnecessarily improved consequently. Hidden hunger is caused by established risk factors, and can be worsened
by emerging factors that are specifically highlighted in this presentation. First, air pollution has become as a public
health threat globally, as inhalation of airborne pollutants provokes body’s pathophysiology including oxidative
stress and inflammatory response. Investigation showed that although the nutrition intake profiles were almost
indistinguishable - so was presumably the vitamin E intake, those who exposed to air pollution was with reduced
circulating level of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) than those without. The vitamin E depletion phenomenon was
because more alpha-tocopherol was consumed to counteract reactive oxygen species and chronic inflammation, and
was corrected after the subjects received vitamin E and C supplementation. Second, carbon dioxide (CO2) represents
the most significant long-lived greenhouse gas in Earth’s atmosphere. Increased CO2 emission was accompanied by
decreased contents of micronutrients including Zn, Fe, and B vitamins in the crops, making the nutritional values
of these crops compromised. Third, the world has been continuously facing the threat of reduced population of
pollinators that are not only important for agriculture output, but for the contents of micronutrients in the crops. If
animal pollinators were completely lost, there would be additional 71 million people at risk for vitamin A deficiency
and addition 173 million for folate deficiency. These few examples reflect the contemporary challenges for the efforts
in the fight against hidden hunger. Given the irreplaceable roles of micronutrients in health and well-being as well
as in the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it is warranted to understand the landscape of hidden
hunger, to analyze all potential causes, and to take preventive actions accordingly from public health perspective.