Food Fortification Programmes in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan, with a population of over 180 million people, faces malnutrition as a major public health problem. Half of its children aged 5 years or less are stunted, over a third (38 %) are underweight, and a quarter of all births are low birth weight [1, 2]. This high level of malnutrition contributes to about half of the 7,40,000 child deaths occurring every year.. People are confronting vitamin A, iodine, and iron malnutrition worldwide [3]. According to WHO, 2.0 billion people are suffering from iodine (35 %) and iron (37 %) deficiencies, worldwide. However, the quotient is more in South-East Asia. Approximately 0.8 million deaths/year (1.5 %) may be ascribed to iron deficiency [4]. The combined impact of such deficiencies hampers socio-economic progress in developing countries. These have adverse effects on physical and mental health, work capacity, education, and economic efficiency of the population. The upshots of IDD include goitre, growth retardation, mental retardation, and increased neonatal and postnatal mortality. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) impairs thyroid metabolism and reduces efficacy of iodine prophylaxis [5]. It may enhance maternal mortality, compromised development of motor skills and learning capacity, lethargy, and reduced immunity. Iodine and iron deficiencies that often coexist are established and globally identified as two of the four major preventable risk factors for compromised child development [6].