Hidden Hunger-Index

The hidden hunger Index serves as a measure of hidden hunger.

This is the original definition quoted from the publication by S. Muthayya et al. The Global Hidden Hunger Indices and Maps:

“The hidden hunger Index is the average, for preschool children, of three deficiency prevalence estimates: stunting (as a proxy for zinc deficiency, as recommended by the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group), iron-deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency. The three components were equally weighted (hidden hunger score = [stunting (%) + anaemia (%) + low serum retinol (%)]/3). Iodine deficiency was measured separately due to its weak correlations with other micronutrient deficiencies.

A number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as India and Afghanistan, had an alarmingly high level of hidden hunger, with stunting, iron deficiency anaemia, and vitamin A deficiency all being highly prevalent.”

The hidden hunger value calculated for Zambia was 42.0. The value represents the arithmetic average of the prevalence of zinc deficiency (45%), iron deficiency (26,5%) and Vitamin A deficiency (54.1%).

The world map taken from the aforementioned publication shows the hidden hunger countries in comparison.

Read more and see more:

S. Muthayya et al. The Global Hidden Hunger Indices and Maps: An Advocacy Tool for Action. Published: June 12, 2013. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067860.
Link: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0067860 and this as a summary http://www.sightandlife.org/fileadmin/data/News/Hidden_Hunger_Index_Executive_Summary.pdf