Hidden hunger is unlike the hunger that comes from a lack of food. It is micronutrient deficiency caused by a chronic lack of vitamins and minerals that often has no visible warning signs, so that people who suffer from it may not even be aware of it. Its consequences are nevertheless disastrous: hidden hunger can lead to mental impairment, poor health and productivity, or even death. One in three people in the world suffer from hidden hunger. Women and children from the lower income groups in developing countries are often the most affected.

“隐性饥饿”与传统意义上因缺乏食物而导致的饥饿不同，它是由于长期缺乏维生素和矿物质而导致的微量营养素缺乏症。因为没有明显的症状，所以人们很少会意识到自己处于“隐性饥饿”状态。不过，其引发的后果却可能是灾难性的：“隐性饥饿”可能导致智障、健康状况及工作效率不佳，甚至会导致死亡。全世界每三个人当中就有一个人处于“隐性饥饿”状态。发展中国家低收入群体中的妇女和儿童是受“隐性饥饿”影响最多的人群。

Improving the health of individuals suffering from hidden hunger has wide-ranging economic benefits because lack of essential vitamins and minerals:

提高“隐性饥饿”人群的健康水平有着广泛的经济意义，因为缺乏基本的维生素和矿物质：

1. can increase child and maternal mortality and cause birth defects and developmental disabilities

会增加儿童和孕产妇死亡率，同时导致出生缺陷及发育性残疾

2. contributes to and exacerbates global poverty

致使全球贫困局面恶化

3. constrains women's empowerment

限制女性平权运动

4. limits the productivity and economic growth of nations

限制国家的生产力和经济增长