Dietary patterns and vitamin B(12) status of migrant Indian preadolescent girls.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inter-generational dietary patterns are implicated in the development of adult disease and have a critical role in cell division, growth and development. OBJECTIVE: The assessment of B(12) status in six meat-eating (ME) and six non-meat-eating (NME) 9-11 years old, Tanner stage 1, migrant Indian girls. DESIGN: B(12) status was assessed by haematology, fasting B(12), folate, methyl malonic acid (MMA) and 7-day-diet-diary analysis. RESULTS: Red cell and iron measurements were within reference ranges for all girls. Reported B(12) intake correlated with serum B(12) (r=0.74, P=0.006). Serum B(12) was lower in NME girls compared with ME girls (232+/-95 vs 543+/-201 pmol l(-1), P=0.01). Two NME girls were deficient in vitamin B(12) (B(12)<170 pmol l(-1), MMA>0.26 micromol l(-1)). Overall serum B(12) was low (388+/-221 pmol l(-1)) and serum folate intake high (27+/-8 pmol l(-1); 342+/-269 microg day(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic B(12) deficiency is present in NME migrant Indian preadolescents in the presence of high folate. Supplementation with B(12) in this group may be necessary to improve future health outcomes.