Summary
Published in a supplement issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this review by Palmer (2014) examines the role of nutritionally enhanced (biofortified) crops in addressing micronutrient malnutrition, often referred to as 'hidden hunger'. The paper likely synthesises evidence from crop biofortification programmes — such as HarvestPlus — evaluating the potential of staple crops bred or engineered to contain higher levels of key micronutrients including vitamin A, iron, and zinc. It situates biofortification within the broader landscape of nutrition interventions for low- and middle-income country contexts.
UK applicability
The findings are primarily relevant to low- and middle-income countries where staple crop-based diets and micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent; direct applicability to UK conditions is limited, though the paper may inform UK-funded international development and food security policy.
Key measures
Micronutrient content of biofortified crops; nutritional status indicators in target populations; bioavailability estimates
Outcomes reported
The paper examines the potential of nutritionally enhanced (biofortified) crops to improve micronutrient intake and nutritional status in populations affected by deficiency. It likely reviews evidence on the efficacy and delivery of biofortified staple crops in reducing deficiencies such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc.
Topic tags
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