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Low plasma vitamin B-12 in kenyan school children is highly prevalent and improved by supplemental animal source foods
- Source :
- The Journal of Nutrition. March, 2007, Vol. 137 Issue 3, p676, 7 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- The high prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in many regions of the world is becoming recognized as a widespread public health problem, but it is not known to what extent this deficiency results from a low intake of the vitamin or from its malabsorption from food. In rural Kenya, where a previous study identified a high prevalence of inadequate vitamin B-12 intakes, this study examined whether plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations were associated with dietary sources of the vitamin at baseline and could be increased by supplementation with animal source foods (ASF). The 4 experimental groups in 503 school children were: 1) control (no food provided); 2) githeri (a maize and bean staple with added oil); 3) githeri + meat (githeri + minced beef); or 4) githeri + milk (githeri + milk). Feedings were isocaloric. Dietary data were collected at baseline, and biochemical data at baseline and after 1 and 2 y of feeding. Baseline plasma vitamin B-12 concentration was 193.6 [+ or -] 105.3 pmol/L and correlated with % energy from ASF (r = 0.308, P < 0.001). The odds ratio for low plasma vitamin B-12 (
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00223166
- Volume :
- 137
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- The Journal of Nutrition
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.160417933