J Nutr Health.  2013 Jun;46(3):239-249.

Comparison of anthropometric data and clinical health indicators according to the serum vitamin B12 status in female older adults living in a rural area of Jeonla province, Korea

• Kwak CS
• Cho JH
• Yon M

Abstract

Subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly worldwide. We investigated the change of serum vitamin B12 concentration with aging and compared anthropometric data and clinical health indicators between normal (> or = 340 pg/mL) and low (< 340 pg/mL) serum vitamin B12 groups in 470 Korean women aged 65 years and over living in a rural area. Serum vitamin B12 concentration showed inverse correlation with age (r = -0.0992, p < 0.05). The normal B12 group showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to the low B12 group, however, no difference in mean corpuscular volume was observed between the two groups. The normal B12 group showed significantly lower serum homocysteine concentration (p < 0.01) and prevalence of vitamin D (p < 0.01) or folate deficiency (p < 0.001). Bone mineral density (T-score) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the normal B12 group, compared with that in the low B12 group, and showed positive correlation (r = 0.1490, p < 0.01) with serum vitamin B12 concentration after adjusting for age, body weight, and body mass index. No differences in anthropometric data, physical activity, and smoking and drinking habits were observed between the two groups. In conclusion, it could be suggested that older female adults with normal serum vitamin B12 level would be less anemic and osteoporotic and more resistant to hyperhomocysteinemia associated chronic diseases than those with low serum vitamin B12 level.

Keyword

female older adults; serum vitamin B12 concentration; clinical health indicator; aging

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aging
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Bone Density
Chronic Disease
Drinking
Erythrocyte Count
Erythrocyte Indices
Female
Folic Acid
Hematocrit
Hemoglobins
Homocysteine
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia
Korea
Motor Activity
Prevalence
Smoke
Smoking
Vitamin B 12
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
Vitamin D
Vitamins
Folic Acid
Hemoglobins
Homocysteine
Smoke
Vitamin B 12
Vitamin D
Vitamins

Reference

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