Vitamin C status of a campus population: college students get a C minus.
Diet and the vitamin C status of two samples of college students were examined. Nonsmoking participants were recruited from a campus population during the fall and winter months. The prevalence of vitamin C deficiency (plasma vitamin C concentrations less than 11 mumol/L) ranged from 1% to 2% in the sampled campus populations. Marginal vitamin C status (plasma vitamin C concentrations from 11 to less than 28 mumol/L) was observed in 12% of the fall sample and 16% in the winter sample. Participants with marginal vitamin C status consumed significantly fewer servings of fruits and vegetables daily than participants with adequate vitamin C status. Marginal vitamin C status, which is even more pronounced in smokers, has been associated with fatigue and increased severity of respiratory tract infections. Because the vitamin C status of many college students, both smokers and nonsmokers, may be inadequate, health promotion or wellness programs for all students should emphasize the importance of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption.
Johnston
C S
CS
Department of Family Resources and Human Development, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA.
Solomon
R E
RE
Corte
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014675:Vegetables
D001205:Ascorbic Acid