Micronutrient status in Mexican children: analysis of the Ensanut 2022

Objective. To describe the micronutrient deficiencies in the Mexican population in the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutricion 2022 (Ensanut 2022). Materials and methods. The Ensanut 2022 is a nationally representative probabilistic survey.Venous blood samples were collected in a sub-sample of children (48%) and women (37%). Serum was separated in situ to further analyse ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, and 25[OH]D in the central laboratory. Deficiency of these micronutrients was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria. Descriptive analyses were performed in preschool (1-4 years), scholar children (5-11 years) and women (12-49 years), using the complex design of the survey. Results. The prevalence of iron deficiency (ID), low levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency were: 30.6, 17.4 and 4.7% in children aged 1-4 years; 17.2, 20 and 37.1% in children aged 5-11 years;and 37.1, 34 and 37.7% in women aged 12-49 years, respectively. Conclusions. ID in preschool children and micronutrient deficiencies in women were highly prevalent. A call to action is needed for targeted interventions in most disadvantaged social groups.