Rohit Shishodia
As many as 32% adolescents between the age of 10 and 19 years have zinc deficiency in India. This has been informed by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwani Kumar Choubey in Parliament.

Such high number of adolescents having zinc deficiency suggests that their future health may not be good and they may suffer from various diseases. It is noted that zinc deficiency can lead to various diseases including sickle cell disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic liver disease.

Referring to the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016-18), Choubey said that 19% children between 1 and 4 years and 17% children between 5 and 9 years are also living with zinc deficiency in the country.

Zinc deficiency is characterized by growth retardation, loss of appetite, and impaired immune function. In more severe cases, zinc deficiency causes hair loss, diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation, impotence, hypogonadism in males, and eye and skin lesions.

Weight loss, delayed healing of wounds, taste abnormalities, and mental lethargy can also occur in zinc deficiency.

Due to zinc deficiency, men and boys can also experience impotence and hypogonadism, which is when a male's body does not produce enough testosterone.