<P> Iron deficiency is the most common inadequate nutrient worldwide, affecting approximately 2 billion people . Globally, anemia affects 1.6 billion people, and represents a public health emergency in children under five and mothers . The World Health Organization estimates that there exists 469 million women of reproductive age and approximately 600 million preschool and school - age children worldwide who are anemic . Anemia, especially iron - deficient anemia, is a critical problem for cognitive developments in children, and its presence leads to maternal deaths and poor brain and motor development in children . The development of anemia affects mothers and children more because infants and children have higher iron requirements for growth . Health consequences for iron deficiency in young children include increased perinatal mortality, delayed mental and physical development, negative behavioral consequences, reduced auditory and visual function, and impaired physical performance . The harm caused by iron deficiency during child development cannot be reversed and result in reduced academic performance, poor physical work capacity, and decreased productivity in adulthood . Mothers are also very susceptible to iron - deficient anemia because women lose iron during menstruation, and rarely supplement it in their diet . Maternal iron deficiency anemia increases the chances of maternal mortality, contributing to at least 18% of maternal deaths in low and middle income countries . </P> <P> Vitamin A plays an essential role in developing the immune system in children, therefore, it is considered an essential micronutrient that can greatly affect health . However, because of the expense of testing for deficiencies, many developing nations have not been able to fully detect and address vitamin A deficiency, leaving vitamin A deficiency considered a silent hunger . According to estimates, subclinical vitamin A deficiency, characterized by low retinol levels, affects 190 million pre-school children and 19 million mothers worldwide . The WHO estimates that 5.2 million of these children under 5 are affected by night blindness, which is considered clinical vitamin A deficiency . Severe vitamin A deficiency (VAD) for developing children can result in visual impairments, anemia and weakened immunity, and increase their risk of morbidity and mortality from infectious disease . This also presents a problem for women, with WHO estimating that 9.8 million women are affected by night blindness . Clinical vitamin A deficiency is particularly common among pregnant women, with prevalence rates as high as 9.8% in South - East Asia . </P> <P> Estimates say that 28.5% of the global population is iodine deficient, representing 1.88 billion individuals . Although salt iodization programs have reduced the prevalence of iodine deficiency, this is still a public health concern in 32 nations . Moderate deficiencies are common in Europe and Africa, and over consumption is common in the Americas . Iodine - deficient diets can interfere with adequate thyroid hormone production, which is responsible for normal growth in the brain and nervous system . This ultimately leads to poor school performance and impaired intellectual capabilities . </P> <P> Improvement of breast feeding practices, like early initiation and exclusive breast feeding for the first two years of life, could save the lives of 1.5 million children annually . Nutrition interventions targeted at infants aged 0--5 months first encourages early initiation of breastfeeding . Though the relationship between early initiation of breast feeding and improved health outcomes has not been formally established, a recent study in Ghana suggests a causal relationship between early initiation and reduced infection - caused neo-natal deaths . Also, experts promote exclusive breastfeeding, rather than using formula, which has shown to promote optimal growth, development, and health of infants . Exclusive breastfeeding often indicates nutritional status because infants that consume breast milk are more likely to receive all adequate nourishment and nutrients that will aid their developing body and immune system . This leaves children less likely to contract diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections . </P>

The largest amount of a vitamin or mineral that should be consumed by the general public