Vitamin deficiencies and public interventions in the Federal Republic of Germany

Vitamin supply of adults in the Federal Republic of Germany is - on the average of the population - satisfactory; i.e. the great majority of test persons who underwent biochemical tests (in each case more than 70%) has been found to show at least satisfactory values of vitamin supply with the usual diet. Measuring values of folic acid, thiamin and vitamin B6 were most frequent in the critical range. Uncertain supply with riboflavin, vitamin A and vitamin C has been found in some age and professional groups only; supply with vitamin B12, vitamin E and niacin was not certain in some exceptional cases only. Groups of above-average risk of uncertain vitamin supply so far are young women (18-24 years) and senior men (above 65 years). The pattern of supply gaps is clearly different: in young women, uncertain supply includes folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and (as the only group) vitamin E; in older men, it includes vitamin C, vitamin A and riboflavin). The educational level is another important factor of influence which has to be taken into account. This is pleasant finding because it gives reason to assume that improved capability to inform oneself leads, at least in part of the population, to a more balanced diet. In cases of lower educational levels, on the other hand, the interest in questions of health and maintenance of health is much lower. This also becomes manifest in a clearly reduced readiness to participate in nutritional inquiries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)