Global burden of zinc deficiency among children under 5 years old from 1990 to 2020

This study aims to estimate the global prevalence rate and disease burden of zinc deficiency from 1990 to 2020 in children under 5 years old. Using data from the WHO Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition and the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, we analysed the prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and deaths attributable to zinc deficiency by sex across 204 countries and territories worldwide from 1990 to 2020. Globally, the prevalence rate of zinc deficiency decreased from 40 to 22% from 1990 to 2020. The age-standardised DALY rate of zinc deficiency decreased from 24.885 to 3.858 per 100,000 population from 1990 to 2019. Overall, the global prevalence of zinc deficiency and its associated disease burden in children under 5 years old declined from 1990 to 2020. Burundi and Central African Republic need effective interventions to alleviate the prevalence and disease burden of zinc deficiency.