Data from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) indicated that between 77% and 99% of Mexican adults surveyed had inadequate intakes of vitamins D and E, while 47%-70% of adults had inadequate intakes of folate and vitamin E.
People from the poorest regions and lowest socioeconomic levels had the highest prevalence of vitamin inadequacy, according to findings published in the Journal of Nutrition.
“Intakes of highly processed foods with high energy density, and of sugar-sweetened beverages, both of which are poor in nutrient density, have increased in recent years,” wrote the researchers. “This may explain the low consumption of certain vitamins in the population; however, further analyses are needed to confirm the latter. This article provides useful information on the magnitude and distribution of vitamin deficiencies among subgroups that can help in targeting programs and develop strategies for the prevention of vitamin deficiencies.”
Mexican DS market
The findings have implications for the growing Mexican dietary supplements market, which is significantly smaller than its US counterpart. According to data from Euromonitor International, sales of vitamins and dietary supplements in 2013 were valued at Mx$15.7 billion (US$0.86 billion), and this is expected to hit Mx$22.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) by 2020.
The market is dominated by Herbalife Internacional de México, which has a 23% value share in 2015, said Euromonitor. Second place was Farmacias Similares with 6% value share.
“Consumers are becoming more aware of the need to consume extra vitamins, minerals or dietary supplements in order to complement their daily needs,” wrote Euromonitor in a 2015 report. “At the same time, the consumer trend towards a healthier way of life will lead to an increase in the consumption of vitamins and dietary supplements.”
Survey details
Data from 10,096 people, which was cross-referenced with a subsample of 889 people, were sued to assess intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamins A, D, E, C, B-6, and B-12 for children aged one to four and aged five to 11, for adolescents aged 12 to 19, and adults.
Results showed that there were significant inadequacies in the intakes of vitamins A, D and E and folate, and these were predominantly for adolescents and adults. On the other hand, inadequacies were low for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamins B-6, B-12, and C.
“The rates of inadequacy of vitamin E were [greater than] 50% in participants [less than] 20 y old and [greater than] 90% in adult and adolescent females,” wrote the researchers. “These are alarmingly high prevalence estimates, which are not consistent with observed health outcomes in the population.
“However, the EAR for vitamin E has been widely questioned. The average requirement was established on the basis of the prevention of hydrogen peroxide–induced hemolysis; however, healthy populations have intakes that are lower than those recommended. Data from the NHANES report that only 10% of men and 4% of women have intakes above the EAR, which results in prevalences of inadequacy that are similar to what we found using information from ENSANUT.”
Source: Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.3945/jn.115.219162
“Usual Vitamin Intakes by Mexican Populations”
Authors: A. Pedroza-Tobias et al.