Niacin status of schoolchildren in Transvaal Province, South Africa
Soldenhoff, M.; van der Westhuyzen, J.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 58(2): 208-212
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 3170095 Document Number: 305476
Niacin status was evaluated in groups of school children (n = 25) in Transvaal Province, South Africa, by measuring the urinary excretion of the metabolite 2-pyridone. In an urban Indian group of low socioeconomic status, and a white middle-class group, 12% and 4% respectively exhibited low or deficient levels of the metabolite. In a rural black village, 28% had evidence of low or deficient levels of niacin, even though two of the 3 locally available brands of maize meal (their dietary staple) claimed to be fortified with nicotinamide. It is concluded that external monitoring of the voluntary maize meal fortification scheme will be necessary to effectively combat deficiency of niacin in traditional maize meal consumers.