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Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on September 23, 2008
Journal of Public Health 2008 30(4):456-460; doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdn076
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© The Author 2008, Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved

Estimated prevalence and predictors of vitamin C deficiency within UK's low-income population



Annhild Mosdøl, Associate Professor in Public Health Nutrition1,2

Bob Erens, Director of Survey Methods Unit3

Eric J. Brunner, Reader in Epidemiology1
1 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK
2 Section for Food Studies and Public Nutrition, Akershus University College, PO Box 423, N-2001 Lillestrøm, Norway
3 Survey Methods Unit, National Centre for Social Research, UK

Address correspondence to Annhild Mosdøl, E-mail: annhild.mosdol{at}hiak.no


  Abstract

Background Recent case reports of scurvy indicate that vitamin C deficiency may be more prevalent that generally assumed. The Low Income Diet and Nutrition Survey (2003–05) of a representative sample of the low-income/materially deprived UK population included a plasma vitamin C measurement.

Methods Adults aged ≥19 years from all countries/regions of UK were screened to identify low-income/materially deprived households. A valid plasma vitamin C measurement was made in 433 men and 876 women. The results were weighted for sampling probability and non-response.

Results An estimated 25% of men and 16% of women in the low-income/materially deprived population had plasma vitamin C concentrations indicative of deficiency (<11 µmol l–1), and a further fifth of the population had levels in the depleted range (11–28 µmol l–1). Being a man, reporting low-dietary vitamin C intake, not taking vitamin supplements and smoking were predictors of plasma vitamin C levels ≤28 µmol l–1 in mutually adjusted logistic regression models.

Conclusion Health professionals need to be aware that poor vitamin C status is relatively common among adults living on a low income.

Keywords: low-income population, national survey, nutrient deficiency, vitamin C


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