Folate and vitamin B12 status of a multiethnic adult population.

Background: Folic acid and vitamin B 12 are of particular interest for their diverse biological functions and preventive roles in many prevalent chronic diseases. However, ethnic differences on the status of these vitamins have not been investigated among multiethnic adult college students. Methods: A cross-sectional study (n=177) was conducted to determine the dietary intakes and levels of serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B 12 among triethnic college students-non-Hispanic white, Hispanic and non-Hispanic black. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and serum was analyzed for folate and vitamin B 12 using standardized methods. Results: Mean intakes of both vitamins without supplementation was higher (P<0.05) among non-Hispanic white males than females, and non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black males and females. Non-Hispanic white females had a significantly lower mean dietary intake of vitamin B 12 than the females of other ethnic groups [P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between B 12 intake and serum concentrations. More than 52% of the females did not meet the required folate intake of 400 pg/day. Conclusions: The data suggest that there was no difference in overall mean intake of folate and vitamin B 12 or serum concentrations in regard to gender or ethnicity. One-fourth of the female subjects failed to meet the recommended folate intake when supplement was excluded.