Hidden Hunger-Index

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.

Hidden Hunger – Index

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

Leave a Reply

By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies. Further Information

We use cookies. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you agree to this. You can delete our cookies. How this works is explained in our privacy policy.

Close