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History of Zinc Deficiency and Analysis of Existing Evidence in Iran: A Narrative Review
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Z Bahadoran    , F Ghafouri-Taleghani |
| Micronutrient Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Disorders, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran , Z.bahadoran@sbmu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (9 Views) |
Zinc deficiency is a global nutritional problem, particularly in Iran, with widespread consequences on growth and health. Zinc deficiency was first identified in humans in the early 1960s, initially reported in an Iranian adolescent and subsequently in an Egyptian boy, and similar cases were observed in children in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The importance of zinc as an essential trace element for human health has since been widely accepted, and today its deficiency is recognized as a serious global health issue. This narrative review examines the history of zinc deficiency and analyzes data from more than two decades of research on zinc deficiency in Iran. Zinc deficiency remains prevalent in vulnerable populations such as children, adolescents, and pregnant women, and its severity and extent vary across climates and provinces; the southern and southeastern regions of the country experience a higher burden of deficiency, while the central and northern regions have a relatively better situation. The high prevalence of zinc deficiency in Iran is mainly due to a plant-based dietary pattern with a high phytate-to-zinc ratio and limited access to zinc-rich animal sources. This evidence underscores the need to design and implement targeted, regional nutritional interventions, along with regular monitoring, to reduce the burden of deficiency and improve public health. |
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| Keywords: Zinc deficiency, Vulnerable populations, National micronutrient surveillance |
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Full-Text [PDF 1024 kb]
(7 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Nutrition
Received: 2026/02/25 | Accepted: 2026/07/19 | Published: 2026/04/30
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