Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021

BackgroundNutritional deficiencies in children are a significant global health concern, contributing to considerable morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the burden of children's nutritional deficiencies from 1990 to 2021, focusing on key indicators and exploring regional disparities a...

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Main Authors: Shihao Zhuang, Meijiang Ruan, Qin Chen, Qiaomei Wang, Ting Chen, Hao Wang, Shanshan Liu, Qiudan Chen, Chengchen Zhang, Li Hong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1615593/full
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author Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Meijiang Ruan
Qin Chen
Qiaomei Wang
Ting Chen
Hao Wang
Shanshan Liu
Qiudan Chen
Chengchen Zhang
Li Hong
Li Hong
Li Hong
author_facet Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Meijiang Ruan
Qin Chen
Qiaomei Wang
Ting Chen
Hao Wang
Shanshan Liu
Qiudan Chen
Chengchen Zhang
Li Hong
Li Hong
Li Hong
author_sort Shihao Zhuang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundNutritional deficiencies in children are a significant global health concern, contributing to considerable morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the burden of children's nutritional deficiencies from 1990 to 2021, focusing on key indicators and exploring regional disparities and the role of socio-economic factors.MethodsData from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study were analyzed for children's nutritional deficiencies across 204 countries and territories. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) for prevalence (ASPR), incidence (ASIR), DALYs (ASDR), and mortality (ASMR) were calculated. Trends were assessed using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC), and decomposition analysis was conducted to evaluate the drivers of changes in the burden of nutritional deficiencies. Projections to 2035 were made using the Bayesian age-period-cohort model and Health inequality was assessed to analyze transnational health inequality.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of children's nutritional deficiencies decreased by 51.51%, with the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) dropping to 11,741.75 per 100,000. Global prevalence decreased by 18.44%, and DALYs dropped by 59.57%. Deaths due to nutritional deficiencies reduced by 80.56%. Despite these global improvements, significant regional disparities persisted. Sub-Saharan Africa reported the highest ASIR and ASPR, while high-SDI regions such as North America and Australasia exhibited significantly lower rates. Projections for 2035 indicate continued declines in global incidence, prevalence, DALYs, and mortality, with age-standardized rates expected to decrease annually. By 2035, the ASIR, ASPR, ASDR, and ASMR are projected to reach 7,469.67, 26,386.33, 306.95, and 1.73 per 100,000, respectively. However, disparities in age-standardized rates between high- and low-SDI regions are expected to persist. Health inequality analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between SDI and the burden of nutritional deficiencies, with countries in lower SDI categories facing disproportionately high burdens compared to those with higher SDI.ConclusionsAlthough the global burden of children's nutritional deficiencies is projected to continue declining in both age-standardized rates and total cases, the burden remains disproportionately high in low-SDI regions. These regions face greater challenges in addressing nutritional deficiencies, and targeted interventions aimed at reducing these inequalities are essential. Addressing the significant disparities between low- and high-SDI countries will be crucial for further reducing the global burden of children's nutritional deficiencies.
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spelling doaj-art-1823f19bdf424646a566603fa9a87a212025-08-20T02:46:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-07-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16155931615593Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021Shihao Zhuang0Shihao Zhuang1Shihao Zhuang2Shihao Zhuang3Shihao Zhuang4Meijiang Ruan5Qin Chen6Qiaomei Wang7Ting Chen8Hao Wang9Shanshan Liu10Qiudan Chen11Chengchen Zhang12Li Hong13Li Hong14Li Hong15College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Children's Hospital, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Branch of Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (The Second People's Hospital of Fujian Province), Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Children's Hospital, Fuzhou, ChinaXiamen Hong'ai Hospital, Xiamen, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, ChinaSchool of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China0Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital of Fujian, Fuzhou, China1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Central Laboratory, Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China2Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China3Department of Clinical Nutrition, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China4Fujian Children's Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children's Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaBackgroundNutritional deficiencies in children are a significant global health concern, contributing to considerable morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the burden of children's nutritional deficiencies from 1990 to 2021, focusing on key indicators and exploring regional disparities and the role of socio-economic factors.MethodsData from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study were analyzed for children's nutritional deficiencies across 204 countries and territories. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) for prevalence (ASPR), incidence (ASIR), DALYs (ASDR), and mortality (ASMR) were calculated. Trends were assessed using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC), and decomposition analysis was conducted to evaluate the drivers of changes in the burden of nutritional deficiencies. Projections to 2035 were made using the Bayesian age-period-cohort model and Health inequality was assessed to analyze transnational health inequality.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of children's nutritional deficiencies decreased by 51.51%, with the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) dropping to 11,741.75 per 100,000. Global prevalence decreased by 18.44%, and DALYs dropped by 59.57%. Deaths due to nutritional deficiencies reduced by 80.56%. Despite these global improvements, significant regional disparities persisted. Sub-Saharan Africa reported the highest ASIR and ASPR, while high-SDI regions such as North America and Australasia exhibited significantly lower rates. Projections for 2035 indicate continued declines in global incidence, prevalence, DALYs, and mortality, with age-standardized rates expected to decrease annually. By 2035, the ASIR, ASPR, ASDR, and ASMR are projected to reach 7,469.67, 26,386.33, 306.95, and 1.73 per 100,000, respectively. However, disparities in age-standardized rates between high- and low-SDI regions are expected to persist. Health inequality analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between SDI and the burden of nutritional deficiencies, with countries in lower SDI categories facing disproportionately high burdens compared to those with higher SDI.ConclusionsAlthough the global burden of children's nutritional deficiencies is projected to continue declining in both age-standardized rates and total cases, the burden remains disproportionately high in low-SDI regions. These regions face greater challenges in addressing nutritional deficiencies, and targeted interventions aimed at reducing these inequalities are essential. Addressing the significant disparities between low- and high-SDI countries will be crucial for further reducing the global burden of children's nutritional deficiencies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1615593/fullnutritional deficiencieschildren's healthGlobal Burden of DiseaseFrontier analysisBayesian age-period-cohort model
spellingShingle Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Shihao Zhuang
Meijiang Ruan
Qin Chen
Qiaomei Wang
Ting Chen
Hao Wang
Shanshan Liu
Qiudan Chen
Chengchen Zhang
Li Hong
Li Hong
Li Hong
Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021
Frontiers in Nutrition
nutritional deficiencies
children's health
Global Burden of Disease
Frontier analysis
Bayesian age-period-cohort model
title Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021
title_full Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021
title_fullStr Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021
title_full_unstemmed Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021
title_short Trends and cross-country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children, with projections to 2035: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021
title_sort trends and cross country inequality in the global burden of nutritional deficiencies in children with projections to 2035 results from the global burden of disease study 2021
topic nutritional deficiencies
children's health
Global Burden of Disease
Frontier analysis
Bayesian age-period-cohort model
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1615593/full
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