Hidden hunger' present in over half of Pakistani in children.

KARACHI -- The alarming prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in children across the country is undermining Pakistan's ability to achieve its development potential, said speakers at Aga Khan University's Conference on Nutrition and Early Human Development. Vitamins and minerals, or micronutrients, are vital components of good nutrition and health which promote physical and intellectual development in many important ways. A lack of iron, vitamin A or vitamin D is often referred to as 'hidden hunger' as symptoms are not visible as in other forms of malnutrition such as wasting and being underweight. But a lack of these essential micronutrients can lead to serious, lifelong repercussions including delayed growth, reduced immunity to disease, frequent fatigue and poor...