Analysis of Changes in the Burden of Nutritional Deficiencies in China, the G20, and Globally from 1990 to 2021 Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2021 Data

Objective Nutritional deficiency, has recently received considerable attention as significant risk factor affecting global health. Nutritional deficiencies are a significant global burden associated with chronic disease. This study analyzed the burden of nutritional deficiencies in China from 1990 to 2021 based on age and gender, and compared it with the burden observed in global and G20 regions. This study aimed to understand the trends in nutritional deficiencies in China using this burden analysis and evaluate the changes in their burden to guide future public health policies. Method This study utilized date from the global burden of disease database (GBD) for 2021, on the prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) attributed to nutritional deficiencies in China from 1990 to 2021. We analyzed the burden and temporal trends of nutritional deficiency in China based on gender, age, and region. Additionally, we analyzed the disease burden in the global and G20 regions, and compared it with the Chinese disease burden. We used estimated annual percentage change to reflect disease trends and subsequently utilized relevant cutting-edge technologies to predict the trends of nutritional deficiencies in China and global regions for 2035. Result The burden of nutritional deficiencies in China demonstrated a significant declining trend from 1990 to 2021. China had more male patients with nutritional deficiencies in the < 5 age group than female patients, while the proportion of female patients was higher than that of males in other age groups, especially during pregnancy. Furthermore, dietary iron deficiency accounted for most of nutritional deficiency cases, contributing the largest share of the burden. From 1990 to 2021, epidemiological changes were the primary driver of the increased disease burden of nutritional deficiencies in China. Conclusion The disease burden of nutritional deficiencies in China demonstrated a decreasing trend from 1990 to 2021. Meanwhile, the disease burden of nutritional deficiencies in the G20 and global regions demonstrated a significant declining trend. This may be associated with socioeconomic advancement. Regarding gender and age, the number of cases of nutritional deficiencies is highest among individuals aged 30 to 34 in China, with the highest number of female patients for nutritional deficiency far exceeding that of male patients of the same age group. This is associated with social factors, including poverty and social inequality. Social inequality and poverty increase the risk of illness among women. Regarding diseases, the disease burden of dietary iron deficiency is relatively high, followed by vitamin A deficiency. This may be linked to regional differences and dietary patterns in China.