Hunger in Europe: Filling is not yet inadequate

EU-funded researchers are exploring hidden hunger in Europe to understand why people with enough food to eat may not have enough micronutrients to keep fit.

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Professor Kevin Cashman has nearly 30 years of experience in human nutrition research and teaching, providing considerable nutrition advice to individuals, media and governments.

Currently chair of Food and Health at the University of Cork University of Ireland, Cashman is coordinating an extensive EU-funded research program called Zero_hidden Hunger_eu and his colleague Mairead Kiely, who is recently former president of the university’s School of Food and Nutritional Sciences. The multinational research team they led is exploring the hidden hunger in Europe.

Hidden hunger is when a person may have enough food but not getting enough amounts of one or more vital vitamins or minerals to maintain good health.

The study began in January 2024 and ended in December 2027. It brings together experts from 10 countries in the UK and Switzerland, as well as the International Cancer Research Agency, the European Food Information Commission and the European Union for Public Health.

Researchers are working together to better understand how common the problem of hidden hunger is and to come up with solutions that also generally improve the sustainability of our food systems.

The need to procure vitamins and minerals from sustainable food systems is crucial to the ongoing work. This is part of the EU’s general efforts to promote production and processing practices that are part of environmentally friendly and resilient as part of its 2030 food policy.

Hidden hunger, Hidden shock

Signs of hunger are often easily spotted when you don’t eat enough food. However, if you don’t get enough micronutrients from your food, the negative effects may not attract people’s attention until they cause serious harm, sometimes not.

The effects of most micronutrient defects may not be visible externally. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) uses the term “hidden hunger” to describe this particular form of malnutrition.

Cashman is the latest member of the WHO’s expert panel on infant and toddler nutritional needs, and his research focuses on vitamin D and K, as well as diet and bone health.

“The symptoms of micronutrient deficiency can be broad but are difficult to detect,” he said.

Some micronutrient defects are more obvious. For example, insufficient folate (vitamin B9) in pregnant women’s diet may lead to infants with brain or spinal cord defects. A global study shows that one in five of the UK’s reproductive age may not have enough folic acid.

The effects of other defects may be less obvious. If your body does not have enough micronutrients, it may affect metabolism and multiple organs may slowly deteriorate. Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are harsh.

“Iron and zinc are crucial for growth and development. Vitamin D and calcium are also essential nutrients that support children’s development,” Cashman said.

Increase health risks

Kiely has over two decades of research experience in human nutrition and health, and he also highlights the relevance of hidden hunger among adults.

“People may associate iron deficiency with anemia or fatigue. However, they don’t necessarily associate calcium deficiency with high blood pressure during pregnancy,” Kiely said. Calcium can help blood vessels tighten and relax when needed, thereby lowering blood pressure.

According to her, people can live long and their intake of basic nutrients is low, but over time, their cells metabolize less. This can affect all major organs, including the immune system, and may lead to an increased risk of disease.

“This may put them at risk of heart disease and stroke, or make them more susceptible to viral or bacterial infections,” she said.

Common defects

EU-funded researchers focus on nutrition of particular concern. This includes minerals such as iron, calcium, iodine, selenium, magnesium, potassium and zinc. The main vitamins of interest include vitamin D, folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin A.

For example, some populations are more likely to suffer from defects – for example, older people, growing children and pregnant women. They estimate that up to 70% of the population are at risk of micronutrient deficiency.

Diet can also put some people at risk. People who follow a vegetarian diet are at risk for B12 deficiency, while those who avoid dairy products may not be able to obtain enough riboflavin, calcium or iodine. These are bigger sights, but important parts of the puzzle.

“The key problem is that we don’t know how common micro-malnutrition malnutrition is,” Cashman said.

According to a survey in the UK, about 30% of 5-year-old children suffer from iron deficiency. Cashman said we don’t know what the numbers are in the rest of Europe. These knowledge gaps make it difficult for policy makers and politicians to decide how best to solve this problem.

Rich in nutrition

One solution is to get people to take supplements, but this is what Cashman thinks is actually only one-third of people.

“You can provide nutritional guidance, but that’s not always enough to affect the health of the population,” Cashman said.

Another option is to put micronutrients directly into common foods such as milk, cereals, and bread.

This approach varies a lot in Europe and around the world. For example, South America, Australia, the United States and Canada require that certain foods are rich in folic acid (a synthetic form of vitamin B9), while most of Europe adopt a voluntary approach. Lallins’ latest research shows the effects of these methods on folic acid levels and health.

“Trying to improve the scope of food systems by putting more micronutrients into it has proven to have the greatest impact,” Cashman said. But ultimately, it depends on the decision of EU governments to adopt food defense tools, he acknowledged.

Mining data

Once Europe better understands the problem of hidden hunger and who is most affected, decision makers’ decisions will become easier.

“The data is very different. You have to fill them in before you create policies,” Cashman said.

Cashman attended the recent International Summit on International Growth Nutrition (N4G) in Paris, France from 26 to 27 March 2025, sharing what the team has learned so far about micronutrient deficiencies in Europe.

The N4G is held every four years and collects governments, international organizations, businesses and civil society to mobilize commitments and resources aimed at improving global nutrition.

Cashman believes that Europe can learn from African and Asian countries where malnutrition is more extensive, and the impact of micronutrient deficiency on health and economy has been studied more extensively.

According to Cashman, the analysis conducted shows that every dollar or dollar that improves nutrition can save thousands of health care costs. He hopes that data from Europe will help work to improve nutrition for all and increase the sustainability of food production.

The research in this article is funded by the EU’s Horizon Program. The views of respondents do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.

More information

This article was originally published in the European Journal of Research and Innovation.