: IDENTIFYING NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES AND DIET RELATED ILLNESSES WITHIN POPULATIONS

Nutritional Deficiency

• A condition resulting from inadequate intake or absorption of essential nutrients

• May lead to physiological impairments and health disorders

Macronutrient Deficiencies

protein-energy malnutrition, wasting, stunting.

Micronutrient Deficiencies

lack of vitamins and minerals like iron, iodine, vitamin A, and zinc.

Overnutrition

excess caloric intake leading to overweight and obesity

Common Diet-Related Illness

• Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

• Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD)

• Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD)

• Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

• Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)

• Hypertension

Determinants of Nutritional Deficiencies

• Poor diet diversity

• Food insecurity and poverty

• Inadequate health sanitation

• Cultural food beliefs

Assessment Methods

• Anthropometric Measurements

• Biochemical Tests

• Clinical Examination

• Socioeconomic Surveys

Anthropometric Measurements

height, weight, BMI, MUAC

Biochemical Tests

serum ferritin, hemoglobin, vitamin a level

Clinical Examination

identifying visible signs of deficiencies

Socioeconomic Surveys

assess food access and education

Anthropometric Indicators

Underweight, stunting, and wasting in children, BMI, and waist circumference for adults. Indicators derived from ENNS data

Biochemical Indicators

• Hemoglobin concentration - iron status

• Serum retinol - vitamin A status

• Urinary iodine concentration - iodine intake

• Blood glucose and lipid profile - diet-related NCDs

Pallor

Iron deficiency anemia

Bitot’s spots

Vitamin A deficiency

Goiter

Iodine Deficiency

Edema

Protein deficiency

Dietary Assessment Tools

• 24-Hour Dietary Recall

• Food Frequency Questionnaire

• Weighed Food Records

• Household Dietary Diversity Score

Public Health Implications

• Nutritional deficiencies weaken immune systems and cognitive function.

• NCDs reduce productivity and increase healthcare costs.

• Requires multi-sectoral interventions

Strategies and Prevention Control

• Nutrition education and dietary diversification

• Micronutrient supplements and food fortification

• Early detection and community screening

• Promoting healthy lifestyles

Challenges and Limitations

• Limited access to lab diagnosis

• Data accuracy and reporting bias

• Economic and environmental factors