Micronutrient Status in Female University Students: Iron, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Vitamin B12 and Folate

Abstract

Young women are at an increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly due to higher micronutrient requirements during childbearing years and multiple food group avoidances. The objective of this study was to investigate biomarkers of particular micronutrients in apparently healthy young women. Female students (n = 308; age range 18–35 year; Body Mass Index 21.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2; mean ± SD) were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were obtained from participants in the fasted state and analysed for biomarkers of iron status, vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine, selenium, zinc, and copper. The results show iron deficiency anaemia, unspecified anaemia, and hypoferritinemia in 3%, 7% and 33.9% of participants, respectively. Low vitamin B12 concentrations (<120 pmol/L) were found in 11.3% of participants, while 4.7% showed sub-clinical deficiency based on serum methylmalonic acid concentrations >0.34 μmol/L. Folate concentrations below the reference range were observed in 1.7% (serum) or 1% (erythrocytes) of participants, and 99.7% of the participant had erythrocyte-folate concentrations >300 nmol/L. Serum zinc concentrations <10.7 μmol/L were observed in 2% of participants. Serum copper and selenium concentrations were below the reference range in 23% and 11% of participants, respectively. Micronutrient deficiencies including iron and vitamin B12, and apparent excess of folate are present in educated Australian female students of childbearing age, including those studying nutrition. The effects of dietary behaviours and food choices on markers of micronutrient status require further investigation.

Vitamin B12status in women of childbearing age in the UK and its relationship with national nutrient intake guidelines: results from two National Diet and Nutrition Surveys

“… 47–49 An Australian study on young females found a similar rate to ours (11.4%), albeit using a lower threshold of 120 pmol/L. 50 As the B 12 levels fall by around 10% from preconception to early pregnancy, 19 if we extrapolate our findings, the proportion of pregnant women with B 12 levels below 150 pmol/L is likely to be much higher. More than a third of vegetarian/vegan women in our study had B 12 deficiency, which was in keeping with studies from other UK adult population 51 and elsewhere.…”

Relationship of Anemia and Serum Ferritin in Medical Students

“…In Saudi Arabia, anemia has been reported as 54.8% in female university students [12] . This prevalence has been shown 10% with 33% of low ferritin in another research [13] , 20% in Gaze [14] and 38.1% in India [15] . Also, 55% of all university students in Noakhali, Bangladesh, have shown to have anemia, 36% of them were male [16] .…”

Does Knowledge and Increased Awareness Among Our Female Postgraduate Medical Students Contribute to Improve Their Hemoglobin Levels?

“…Increased demands during adolescence due to physiological changes and during pregnancy and lactation make the young women more vulnerable. In addition, food faddism and avoidance of particular food group are common in young women which increase the risk of micronutrient deficiencies [6]. This is largely unnoticed condition in this age group.…”