Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.5, 278-286 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 279 from various regions, with a particular focus on the impact of biofortified maize on improving micronutrient intake and overall health outcomes. 2 Micronutrient Deficiencies and Their Health Impacts Micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as “hidden hunger”, are a significant global health issue, particularly in developing regions. These deficiencies occur when the intake of essential vitamins and minerals is insufficient to meet the body's needs, leading to various health problems (Figure 1). The most common micronutrients lacking in human diets include zinc, iron, and vitamin A. Zinc deficiency can impair immune function and increase susceptibility to infections, iron deficiency can lead to anemia and reduced cognitive function, and vitamin A deficiency can cause vision problems and increase the risk of mortality in children and pregnant women (Goredema-Matongera et al., 2021; Dwivedi et al., 2023). Figure 1 Effects of micronutrient malnutrition on human health (Adopted from Dhaliwal et al., 2022b) 2.1 Common micronutrients lacking in human diets Zinc, iron, and vitamin A are among the most critical micronutrients often missing from diets, especially in developing countries. Zinc is essential for immune function, protein synthesis, and cell division. Iron is crucial for the formation of hemoglobin and oxygen transport in the blood, while vitamin A is vital for vision, immune function, and reproduction. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to severe health issues, including stunted growth, increased susceptibility to infections, and higher mortality rates (Galani et al., 2020). 2.2 The role of maize in addressing these deficiencies Maize (Zeamays L.) is a staple food for a significant portion of the global population, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. However, traditional maize varieties are often low in essential micronutrients. Biofortification, the process of increasing the nutrient content of crops through conventional breeding, genetic engineering, or agronomic practices, offers a promising solution to this problem (Li and Huang, 2024). Biofortified maize varieties enriched with zinc, iron, and provitamin A have been developed and are being promoted to address micronutrient deficiencies in regions where maize is a dietary staple (Garg et al., 2018; Ahmad et al., 2023). 2.3 Current global status of micronutrient deficiencies Micronutrient deficiencies remain a pervasive issue worldwide, with significant impacts on public health and economic development. In Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, deficiencies in zinc, iron, and vitamin A are particularly prevalent, affecting millions of people. For instance, iron-deficient anemia affects 26 to 31% of women of reproductive age in Eastern and Southern Africa, while vitamin A deficiency affects up to 53% of the population in these regions. Efforts to combat these deficiencies through biofortification have shown promise, with biofortified crops like maize playing a crucial role in improving the nutritional status of vulnerable populations (Avnee et al., 2023).
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