“Though hidden hunger is invisible, its impact is anything but silent. The time to act is NOW.”
As we commemorate World Food Day 2024, under the theme, “The Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,” we are reminded that access to food isn’t just a privilege; it’s a fundamental human right. However, while the world has made significant strides in combating food insecurity, there is an often-overlooked aspect of this crisis—hidden hunger. Unlike the visible forms of malnutrition, hidden hunger is not present in empty stomachs or obviously visible symptoms at first; instead, it often goes unnoticed but has devastating long-term effects on health, productivity, and development, particularly among the urban poor and dryland communities living in Kenya.
According to FAO, hidden hunger is micronutrient deficiencies resulting from inadequate intake of minerals and vitamins. Globally, it affects about 2 billion people, most of whom live in developing countries. Africa, unfortunately, bears a significant portion of this burden, with micronutrient deficiencies contributing to poor health outcomes, lower economic productivity, and development across the continent. Hidden hunger, also referred to as micronutrient malnutrition, remains a significant public health challenge, with deficiencies of iron, vitamin A, zinc, and iodine being prevalent. These micronutrients, which are vital for proper body functioning, are missing from many household diets, which particularly affects women and children. A 2024 Lancet Global Health Report showed that every 1 in 2 children younger than 5 years are deficient in either iron, zinc, or vitamin A, and 2 in 3 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) suffer from iron, zinc, and folate deficiency worldwide. Without these micronutrients, children face the risk of stunted growth, poor cognitive development, and a weakened immune system. For pregnant women, micronutrient deficiencies can lead to complications during childbirth, increased maternal mortality, and babies born with low birth weights, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and malnutrition.
How do we fix hidden hunger?
Over the years, Kenya has made commendable progress in addressing the issue of food security and transforming food systems, particularly in urban areas and agricultural regions, through government interventions such as school feeding programs, improved agricultural practices, and aid from international organizations. Urban markets are filled with a variety of products, and food aid programs in dryland regions have provided a buffer against famine. However, while many Kenyans may now have enough food on their plates and consume enough calories, the Kenya National Micronutrient Survey shows that 83.3% of preschool children are still zinc deficient. In comparison, 36.1% of pregnant women and 21.8% of children under 5 have Iron deficiency. Another report by WHO showed that the national prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is 9.2%, with the margin at risk for children under 5 being 52.6%, predisposing them to childhood blindness and significantly increasing childhood mortality from common illnesses such as diarrhea. Further, the national folate deficiency in pregnant women is at 32.1% and 30.9% in nonpregnant women, while 22.1% of school-age children are iodine deficient.
The Burden in Urban Poor Communities
Urban poverty reflects both the residence and wealth characteristics of the population. Kenya’s urban population has been rapidly growing due to urbanization and a rise in poverty, particularly in informal settlements. Urban poor households often struggle to afford nutritious food, relying on cheap, highly processed foods with little nutritional value. The price of fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods is often out of reach. As a result, these communities are disproportionately affected by hidden hunger, especially the women and children. For the urban poor, it is not just about food access —a lack of clean water and proper sanitation — exacerbates the problem. Poor sanitation and hygiene lead to more frequent illnesses, making it harder for the body to absorb little nutrients. This vicious cycle leaves many urban poor children undernourished despite consuming enough calories, trapping them in a state of hidden hunger.
The Impact on Dryland Communities
In Kenya’s dryland regions —including counties such as Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, and Garissa — which are home to pastoralist communities, the food nutrition challenges are different but equally severe. These areas experience erratic rainfall, frequent droughts, and land degradation, making farming and livestock production difficult and further reducing food availability. As a result, micronutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and animal products become either scarce or unaffordable.
Moreover, frequent droughts lead to reliance on food aid or relief, which often lacks the nutritional diversity needed for a well-balanced diet. Consequently, these communities suffer the dual burden of food insecurity and hidden hunger, leaving women and children most vulnerable to its health impacts.
Hidden hunger is linked to a range of severe health problems:
- Iron deficiency, for instance, is one of the leading causes of anemia, a condition that reduces the body’s ability to fight infections, affecting pregnant women and children the most.
- Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of preventable blindness in children, increases the risk of death from infections like measles, and increases the risk of maternal and child mortality.
- Zinc deficiency compromises immune function, making infections more severe and longer-lasting.
As we observe World Food Day 2024, it is clear that while progress has been made in the fight against hunger, the hidden hunger crisis persists, robbing millions of a healthy and fulfilling life. Addressing this silent epidemic is crucial for securing the right to food for all, especially the vulnerable populations in Kenya’s urban poor and dryland communities. Strengthening food security policies, expanding fortification programs, and promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture like agroecology must be prioritized. Through coordinated action between governments, NGOs, CSOs, academia, and the private sector, we can transform food systems and create a future where hidden hunger no longer robs anyone of a healthy, productive life.
By: Alice Ritho, Researcher, Nutrition and Food Systems, Jacqueline K. Kung’u, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Nutrition and Food Systems, Felistus Mwalia, Policy Engagement and Communications, and William S. Mawia, Policy Engagement and Communications, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).