Hidden hunger still spreads through in China, while the nation is globally recognized for its enormous efforts in lifting its people out of poverty and hunger, according to a senior agricultural official.

“Chinese people often have hidden hunger caused by a lack of micronutrient elements including ferrum, calcium, zinc and vitamin A … and it must be brought to our attention,” Wang Jing, a deputy director of the Institute of Food and Nutrition Development under the Ministry of Agriculture, said at a wheat industry development forum on Sunday in the city of Xingtai in north China’s Hebei province, Guangming Daily reported Monday.

Hidden hunger, or micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs), can cause underweight, cognitive defects and decreased immunity, which are commonly seen among pregnant women, infants, children and teenagers, according to Wang.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates demonstrate that China reduced the number of people suffering from dire hunger from 289 million in 1990-92 to 133.8 million in 2015, and the country received a diploma at the FAO headquarters in June 2015 for reaching the Millennium Development Goal, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wang noted that the persisting problem is related to inadequate supply of high-quality agricultural products in the China, while common over-processing of food in the food industry along with unhealthy ways of cooking also do not help the situation.

In response, China is expected to issue a national action plan on nutrition, Wang added.