Prevalence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in healthy Indian school‐going adolescents from rural and urban localities and its relationship with various anthropometric indices: a cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background Micronutrient deficiency is a global health burden, especially among developing countries. The present cross‐sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in healthy Indian school‐going adolescents, based on area of residence, sex and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, the relationship of serum B12 concentration with dietary vitamin B12 intake and anthropometric indices was assessed among adolescents from rural and urban India. Methods A total of 2403 school‐going adolescents (11–17 years) from National Capital Region and rural areas of Haryana, India were selected. Serum B12 concentrations were estimated using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Dietary assessments were conducted on 65% of total participants (n = 1556) by two 24‐h diet recalls. Results The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the total study population was 32.4% (rural: 43.9% versus urban: 30.1%, P < 0.001; male: 34.4% versus female: 31.0%, P < 0.05; normal weight: 28.1%, versus overweight: 39.8%, versus obese: 51.2%, P < 0.001). More than half (51.2%) of obese adolescents were vitamin B12 deficient. On multiple linear regression analysis, serum B12 in rural adolescents was associated with age (β = −0.12, P < 0.05). Among urban adolescents, serum B12 was associated with BMI (β = −0.08, P < 0.05) and adjusted dietary vitamin B12 intake (β = 0.14, P < 0.001). Serum vitamin B12 levels were found to be lower in rural females (β = −0.12, P = 0.030) and urban males (β: 0.11, P < 0.001) compared to their respective contemporaries. Conclusions Vitamin B12 deficiency was higher among rural school‐going adolescents. Boys had a higher B12 deficiency than girls. Inverse associations of serum B12 with adiposity indices were observed. Serum B12 levels were positively associated with dietary vitamin B12 intake.

Vitamin B12deficiency and hyperhomocysteinaemia in outpatients with stroke or transient ischaemic attack: a cohort study at an academic medical centre

“…B 12 deficiency is very common in India, in part because of a high prevalence of vegetarianism. Even in adolescents, B 12 deficiency was reported in 32% of study participants in the Haryana region 24. In Pakistan 58.3% of patients with ischaemic stroke were reported to have HHcy defined as tHcy >15 µmol/L25; in China the prevalence of tHcy >30 µmol/L among patients with hypertension was 16.7% 26.…”

Evidence for the association between FTO gene variants and vitamin B12 concentrations in an Asian Indian population

“…In our study, we found a significant association of the FTO GRS (increased BMI) with low vitamin B12 concentrations in South Asian adults. Several studies in India have reported significant phenotypic associations between vitamin B12 status and obesity-related traits [9, 16, 55, 56]. A study conducted in North India reported that there was a negative correlation between waist circumference and reduced levels of vitamin B12 [55].…”

“…A study conducted in North India reported that there was a negative correlation between waist circumference and reduced levels of vitamin B12 [55]. A study looking at 2403 school-going adolescents (11–17 years) from Haryana, India reported that more than half (51.2%) of obese adolescents were vitamin B12 deficient [9]. Furthermore, recent findings from the CURES ( n = 1500 individuals) demonstrated that the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency significantly increased in those with abdominal obesity and the mean levels of vitamin B12 significantly decreased with increasing degrees of glucose tolerance [56].…”

“…In a study in rodents, it was found that the type of dietary lipids (lard or fish oil) influenced the structure of the microbiome as there was an interaction between gut microbiota and saturated lipids in promoting white adipose tissue inflammation [58]. Chakraborty et al postulated that a higher concentration of inflammatory cytokines could impair vitamin B12 absorption or biosynthesis [9]. Another study reported that low vitamin B12 status induced excess triacylglycerol biosynthesis and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines [59].…”

“…This has led to a substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity-associated metabolic problems, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, and hypertension in India [6]. Furthermore, several studies have also demonstrated that obesity is associated with substantial nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12 [7–9].…”