A new report from Cardiff University has uncovered a potentially crucial finding. To truly tackle hidden hunger across the continent, simply expanding domestic farming isn’t enough. In a recent analysis published in the journal Nature Food, researchers assessed the nutritional status of 54 African countries. It highlighted the intricately linked tripartite nature of malnutrition, agricultural productivity, and micronutrient deficiencies across the continent.
The study highlights that malnutrition in Africa is a complex issue rooted in both traditional starvation and hidden hunger. Hidden hunger occurs when you lack enough basic nutrients like iron, zinc or vitamins. These nutrients are vital to your health and quality of life. The continent is rich with agricultural potential, but land limitations and lack of capital drag it down. The consequence is a continued lack of availability and access to essential nutrients, leading to widespread health problems such as anemia, malaria, and infant and child mortality.
Nutritional Deficiencies in Africa
The results from Cardiff University suggest iron, calcium and zinc are the most lacking nutrients across the continent of Africa. These inadequacies lead to chronic health issues that affect millions of Americans. What this study has uncovered is deeply alarming. Even under the most highly optimized agricultural production methods, over 50% of African countries will remain unable to meet their micronutrient self-sufficiency.
“Achieving micronutrient self-sufficiency is more challenging than for macronutrients, as over half of African countries would still fall short due to land constraints, even under optimized production. Strengthening agricultural productivity, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, is crucial for enhancing nutrient security. Equally important is reducing food loss and waste across the supply chain, which currently diminishes total nutrient availability by 9–15%.” – Professor Xu Zhao
The researchers highlighted the importance of tackling not only how much food is produced, but the quality of what is produced. Today’s agricultural policies have prioritized strategizing around caloric intake over nutrient density, masking the urgent crisis of micronutrient deficiency Earth is experiencing.
“Most studies on food self-sufficiency focus only on calories, which hides the deeper challenge of micronutrient deficiencies,” – Dr. Pan He
Challenges in Addressing Hidden Hunger
In the findings, the study describes many of the obstacles impacting African countries as they try to fight hidden hunger. Inadequate land and water resources restrict the highest possible level of agricultural productivity and nutrient security. Only seven of the 54 evaluated countries are able to adequately satisfy their nutritional needs and healthy diets at all times while remaining within our planet’s essential ecological boundaries.
Building agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa is still extremely important for advancing nutrient security. The study advocates for a holistic approach that incorporates various strategies aimed at enhancing food quality, ensuring better access to nutrients, and addressing climate resilience.
“Malnutrition in Africa is not only about hunger, but also about ‘hidden hunger’ caused by lack of iron, zinc, or vitamins.” – Dr. Pan He
It’s imperative that policymakers and development agencies pay attention to both hunger and hidden hunger. Given this, this approach is critical when designing effective food and nutrition strategies.
Strategies for Improvement
To address hidden hunger in the most effective and holistic manner possible, the study calls for partnership. Now more than ever, governments, development agencies, and communities must work together to develop coordinated food and nutrition initiatives. These strategies can improve agricultural productivity and sustainability, while tackling growing health issues related to nutrient inadequacies.
Reducing food loss and waste at all stages of the supply chain is a key component of this strategy. By reducing waste, countries have ample opportunities to improve nutrient availability without the need to drastically expand agricultural land or resources. Food loss today decreases total nutrient availability by an estimated 9–15%. Food systems climate adaptation In order to address hidden hunger, improvement of this issue is highly critical.