Folate and vitamin B12 status and dietary intake of anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in the delta region of Myanmar.
The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of deficiency of folate and vitamin B12 and, simultaneously, the nutrient intake adequacy of folate, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and calcium in 391 adolescent anaemic (Hb<120 g/l) schoolgirls living in the delta region of Myanmar (Burma). Dietary intakes were assessed using a 3 d estimated food record. The distribution of observed intakes calculated from the food records were adjusted for usual intakes, and the prevalence of inadequacy was estimated using the estimated average requirement cut-point method. Median (first, third quartile) serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were 6·5 (4·6, 8·5) nmol/l and 612·8 (443·2, 795·2) pmol/l, respectively. The prevalence of folate deficiency defined as <6·8 nmol/l was 54 %; however, vitamin B12 deficiency defined as <148 pmol/l was negligible (<1 %). The prevalence of inadequate intake of folate was high (100 %) as was the prevalence of inadequate intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and calcium, ranging from 60 to 100 %. Red meat or poultry was rarely consumed, but fish was consumed on a daily basis. Green leafy vegetables were also consumed frequently but consumption of dairy products was uncommon. Folate deficiency was high, and the prevalence of inadequate intake of folate among other key micronutrients was relatively common in this sample of anaemic adolescent schoolgirls. Appropriate strategies such as food fortification and dietary diversification are needed to improve the micronutrient status of these young women to ensure optimal health and future reproductive success.
1South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization,Regional Center for Food and Nutrition,University of Indonesia,Jakarta 10430,Indonesia.
Min Kyaw
MK
Htet
1South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization,Regional Center for Food and Nutrition,University of Indonesia,Jakarta 10430,Indonesia.
Umi
U
Fahmida
4School of Biomedical Science,Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health,University of Ulster,Coleraine BT52 1SA,UK.
David I
DI
Thurnham
1South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization,Regional Center for Food and Nutrition,University of Indonesia,Jakarta 10430,Indonesia.
Lwin Mar
LM
Hlaing
5Faculty of Medicine,University of Indonesia,Jakarta 10430,Indonesia.
Arwin
A
Akib
6Faculty of Public Health,University of Indonesia,Jakarta 16424,Indonesia.
Budi
B
Utomo
7Department of Human Nutrition,University of Otago,Dunedin 9054,New Zealand.
Lisa A
0000-0002-2276-6205
LA
Houghton
D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D002052:Myanmar / Q000453:epidemiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology
D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12
Adolescent girls; Dietary folate intake; EAR estimated average requirement; Myanmar; Serum folate; Vitamin B12