Esteban 2014–2016 – Chapter on biological measurements of vitamins and minerals: no significant deficiencies or widespread deficiencies
Santé publique France has released new findings from the 2014–2016 Esteban study on blood tests measuring vitamin and mineral levels in children and adults in mainland France.
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Key Points from the Esteban Study
The nutrition component of the Study on Health, the Environment, Biomonitoring, Physical Activity, and Nutrition (Esteban 2014–2016) aimed to describe dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and nutritional status among the population residing in metropolitan France.
The Esteban Study was conducted on a sample of children aged 6 to 17 and adults aged 18 to 74 selected at random and residing in metropolitan France. Subjects were enrolled from April 2014 to March 2016 to account for seasonal variations in diet and potential exposures. This study included a questionnaire survey, a dietary survey, and a health examination with biological samples and laboratory tests.
This report presents the status of vitamin D, ferritin, serum folates, vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotenoids in the population in 2015, as well as changes since the 2006–2007 National Nutrition and Health Survey.
Key takeaways:
Regarding vitamin D: 1 in 4 adults and 3 in 10 children had adequate vitamin D levels. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was nearly 7% among adults and 4% among children, reaching 13% among adolescents. While the situation has improved since 2006 among women, there has been an increase in deficiency among men aged 55–74;
regarding iron status: 20% of women of childbearing age showed complete depletion of iron stores, 7% had anemia, and 4% suffered from iron-deficiency anemia, most of which was untreated. The prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia exceeded 10% among girls aged 6–17;
Regarding folate status: the prevalence of the risk of serum folate deficiency was virtually zero among adolescents (ages 15–17), but it has nearly doubled over the past 10 years among adult women of childbearing age (ages 18–49, non-menopausal), rising from 7% in 2006 to 13% in 2015;
Regarding vitamins A (retinol) and E (tocopherol): the prevalence of vitamin A and E deficiencies was virtually zero in the French population in 2015 as in 2006, regardless of individuals’ sex, age, or educational level, whereas the average serum concentration of the main carotenoids was higher among older adults and those with higher levels of education.
Overall, no significant deficiencies or widespread shortages were observed in the French population in 2015. These findings do, however, highlight several areas of concern that must be taken into account when prioritizing and directing targeted preventive measures, particularly regarding:
the increase in vitamin D deficiency among men over 55,
the increasing prevalence of the risk of serum folate deficiency among women of childbearing age,
the screening and treatment of iron deficiency in women of childbearing age,
vitamin and mineral deficiencies linked to declining fruit and vegetable consumption in certain subpopulations.
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rapport/synthèse
23 August 2021
Health Study on the Environment, Biomonitoring, Physical Activity, and Nutrition (Esteban 2014–2016). Nutrition Component. Chapter: Biological Assays: Vitamins and Minerals
Nutrition and Physical Activity
thematic dossier
Nutrition and physical activity are two major determinants of health that contribute to improving the health of the population and are key priorities in public health policy.
