Concurrent micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in nonpregnant rural and tribal women from central India.

OBJECTIVE: The existence of concurrent micronutrient deficiencies in Indian women of reproductive age has received little attention. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the micronutrient status of nonpregnant rural and tribal women 18-30 y from central India. METHODS: Participants (n = 109) were randomly selected using a stratified (rural-tribal) proportionate-to-population size cluster sampling method from 12 subcenters in Ramtek block, Nagpur. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical data, including blood and urine samples, were obtained. RESULTS: Tribal and rural women had similar sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric status; 63% of women had a body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2). The median urinary iodine concentration was 215 μg/L (IQR: 127, 319). The mean (SD) concentration of hemoglobin, serum zinc, retinol, and folate was 112 (13) g/L, 10.8 (1.6) μmol/L, 1.2 (0.3) μmol/L, 18.4 (8.4) nmol/L, respectively, with a geometric mean serum vitamin B(12) concentration of 186 pmol/L. The percentage of women with low values for hemoglobin (<120 g/L), serum zinc (<10.7 μmol/L), vitamin B(12) (<148 pmol/L), retinol (<0.7 μmol/L), and folate (