Which population is at higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency?

• A. Older adults, vegans/vegetarians, and those with malabsorption.
• B. Young children with high dairy intake.
• C. Athletes taking vitamin E.
• D. People who eat only fruit.

Answer: (A)

Vitamin B12 deficiency risk comes from both intake and absorption. B12 is mainly found in animal-derived foods, so people who don’t eat animal products—such as vegans and some vegetarians—are at higher risk unless they rely on fortified foods or supplements. Age also matters: as we get older, the stomach makes less acid and intrinsic factor, both of which are needed to release and absorb B12, increasing deficiency risk. Malabsorption conditions—like pernicious anemia, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, bacterial overgrowth, or pancreatic insufficiency—also impair B12 absorption even if intake is adequate. So the groups described—older adults, vegans/vegetarians, and those with malabsorption—are at higher risk. The other scenarios don’t combine limited intake with absorption issues, so they’re not the groups at highest risk.