[Vitamin and mineral deficiency in Mexico. A critical review of the state of the art. I. Mineral deficiency].

A critical analysis was conducted in 39 publications on the prevalence of trace mineral deficiencies in Mexico, published since 1950. It can be concluded that: a) Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency in Mexico. It occurs in 10 to 70% of the population depending on the region of the country. Rural areas in the southern and south-eastern regions are more drastically affected studies. This deficiency occurs even though iron intake in most studies is higher than recommended. b) Clinical signs of iodine deficiency have been reported in some mountainous regions of the country. These studies were carried out about 30 years ago, so the potential existence of iodine deficiency in these and other regions requires further study. c) There is some evidence of marginal zinc deficiency in some population groups. The magnitude of this deficiency, and the existence of other mineral deficiencies and their consequences for the health and function of the Mexican population, require further investigation.