Niacin status of schoolchildren in Transvaal Province, South Africa.
Niacin status was evaluated in groups of school children (n = 25) in Transvaal Province, South Africa, by measuring the urinary excretion of the metabolite 2-pyridone. In an urban Indian group of low socioeconomic status, and a white middle-class group, 12% and 4% respectively exhibited low or deficient levels of the metabolite. In a rural black village, 28% had evidence of low or deficient levels of niacin, even though two of the 3 locally available brands of maize meal (their dietary staple) claimed to be fortified with nicotinamide. It is concluded that external monitoring of the voluntary maize meal fortification scheme will be necessary to effectively combat deficiency of niacin in traditional maize meal consumers.
Soldenhoff
M
M
Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg.
van der Westhuyzen
J
J
D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009525:Niacin / Q000097:blood*; D044469:Racial Groups; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D014505:Urban Population
D009525:Niacin