Vitamin B12 Status of Various Ethnic Groups Living in New Zealand: An Analysis of the Adult Nutrition Survey 2008/2009.

Asika Devi,Bernard Venn,Michelle Harper,Elaine Rush

doi:10.3390/nu10020181

Asika Devi, Bernard Venn + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10020181

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Abstract

Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to serious health problems, whilst sub-optimal status is associated with raised biochemical markers of disease risk. Identifying at-risk groups could benefit both individuals and public health. Dietary data were sourced from the New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey 2008/2009, involving a nationally representative sample of 4721 participants. Ethnic groupings were by regional origin: Māori and Pacific Islands, New Zealand European, East and South-East Asian, and South Asian. Diets were assessed using 24-h recalls and from responses to a questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained from a subset (n = 3348). The mean (95% CI) vitamin B12 intake of the Māori and Pacific Islands group was 5.1 (4.7, 5.5) µg/day, New Zealand Europeans 4.1 (3.8, 4.3) µg/day, East and South-East Asians 4.5 (3.7, 5.3) µg/day, and South Asians 3.0 (2.5, 3.6) µg/day. Overall, 20.1% of the sample had vitamin B12 inadequacy (<221 pmol/L). South Asians had the lowest vitamin B12 concentration at 282 (251, 312) pmol/L, whilst Māori/Pacific and East/South-East Asians had the highest, at 426 (386, 466) and 425 (412, 437) pmol/L, respectively. The main dietary determinant of serum vitamin B12 concentration was whether or not people ate red meat, with a regression coefficient of 27.0 (95% CI: 6.6, 47.5). It would be helpful for health agencies to be aware of the potential for compromised vitamin B12 status in South Asian communities.

Highlights

Vitamin B12, known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble B-vitamin [1]
The main dietary determinant of serum vitamin B12 concentration was whether or not people ate red meat, with a regression coefficient of 27.0. It would be helpful for health agencies to be aware of the potential for compromised vitamin B12 status in South Asian communities
Our data indicate variability in the vitamin B12 intakes and biochemical status among residents of New Zealand based on regional ethnic groupings

Summary

Introduction

Vitamin B12 is synthesized by bacteria, and finds its way into the human food supply predominantly via animal products [2]. This places low consumers of animal products—vegetarians, and vegans—at risk of low intake [3] and metabolic deficiency [4]. Human deficiencies of vitamin B12 result in adverse effects to the individual that, when prevalent in the population, may be of public health significance [9]. The prevalence of frank deficiency resulting in haematological or neurological problems is relatively uncommon, but subclinical deficiency has been estimated to range from 2.5% to 26% in various populations [12]

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