Folate and vitamin B₁₂status and dietary intake of anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in the delta region of Myanmar

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of deficiency of folate and vitamin B 12 and, simultaneously, the nutrient intake adequacy of folate, vitamin B 12 , iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B 6 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 B 12 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 B 12 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 B 6 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.

Local food-based complementary feeding recommendations developed by the linear programming approach to improve the intake of problem nutrients among 12–23-month-old Myanmar children

“…In our study population, there was a low consumption of folate-rich foods, such as red meat, organ meat and vegetables. A recent study conducted in Myanmar also showed that anaemic adolescent school girls had inadequate dietary folate intake, which was consistent with the high prevalence of low serum folate level among these girls ( 29 ) . Previous research on the adequacy of micronutrient concentrations in industrially manufactured complementary foods showed that most of the processed complementary foods in many countries of Asia are fortified with at least one micronutrient ( 30 ) .…”

Problem Nutrients in Adolescent Girls With Anemia Versus Nonanemic Adolescent Girls and the Optimized Food-Based Recommendations to Meet Adequacy of These Nutrients in Adolescent School Girls in East Java, Indonesia

“…19 Our result was also consistent with a study in Myanmar which found that adolescent schoolgirls with anemia had inadequate intake of folate. 20 In our study, 3 times per week of milk was recommended, which is compatible with their usual weekly milk intake. Physiologically, calcium requirements increase significantly during adolescence because of bone mineralization during this period.…”

Anemia prevention behavior in female adolescents and related factors based on Theory of Planned Behavior: A cross-sectional study

“…Wrong dietary habits and consumption of unhealthy food (junk food) should be avoided (Jalambo et al, 2018). Female adolescents must also meet the necessary nutrients, not only macro but also micro (Htet et al, 2016). In addition, female adolescents who get iron tablets from school or have independent supplies tend to consume iron tablets regularly (Gosdin et al, 2020).…”