Explain some of the more common factors that contribute to vitamin A deficiency in developing countries

Answer 1

The most common factor contributing to the magnitude of vitamin A deficiency worldwide is the chronic inadequate dietary intake of vitamin A. Other contributors include poor nutritional status of mothers during pregnancy and lactation, low prevalence of breastfeeding, delayed or inappropriate introduction of complementary foods, high incidence of infection (such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, and measles), low levels of maternal education, drought, civil strife, poverty, and ecological deprivation in some regions resulting in limited availability of vitamin A–rich foods. For example, the production and consumption of vitamin A–rich foods in Africa (dark green, leafy vegetables; orange-colored fruits and tubers; and red palm oil) are influenced strongly by seasonal trends and cultural practices.