title: Vitamin B12 concentration and its association with sociodemographic factors in Colombian children: Findings from the 2010 National Nutrition Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rapid changes in dietary patterns, economic development, and urbanization in low- to middle-income countries are fueling complex malnutrition states that need better characterization using population-level data. The aim of this study was to describe the key findings related to vitamin B12 status to identify the prevalence and associated sociodemographic factors in a representative sample of children in Colombia, based on the 2010 National Nutrition Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed cross-sectional data from 6910 Colombian children between the ages of 5 and 12. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations were determined by chemiluminescence. Sociodemographic data was assessed by computer-assisted personal interview technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the children assessed, 2.8% had vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as levels <200 pg/mL, and 18.1% had marginal vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as levels between 200 and 300 pg/mL. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed increased risks for vitamin B12 deficiency among children ages ≥9 y and for those living in the eastern, western, and southern regions of the country. No significant associations were found for ethnic groups, socioeconomic status, or urbanity levels. Being 11 y of age (odds ratio [OR], 2.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-3.00; P = 0.0001), living in the west (Pacific) region of the country (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 3.14-4.90; P = 0.0001), and being male (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20-1.65; P = 0.0001) were the factors most strongly associated with an increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with data from other Latin American countries, Colombian children have a lower prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency; however the prevalence of marginal deficiency is substantial. Continued surveillance and implementation of interventions to improve dietary patterns among the high-risk groups identified should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Bogotá, DC, Colombia. Electronic address: robinsonramirez@usantotomas.edu.co.
authors.forename: Robinson
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramírez-Vélez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios para la Medición de la Actividad Física CEMA, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.
authors.forename: Jorge Enrique
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Correa-Bautista
authors.affiliation: Grupo GICAEDS. Programa de Cultura Física, Deporte y Recreación, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez-Torres
authors.affiliation: Grupo GICAEDS. Programa de Cultura Física, Deporte y Recreación, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.
authors.forename: José Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Meneses-Echávez
authors.affiliation: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lobelo
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12
keywords: Children; Deficiency; Nutrition; Prevalence; Vitamin B(12)