Understanding What Groups Are at Risk of Vitamin Deficiency

December 14, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, micronutrient deficiencies affect over 2 billion people worldwide, impacting individuals of all ages. While deficiencies can occur for many reasons, certain populations are far more vulnerable due to unique physiological needs, dietary restrictions, or health conditions. Recognizing these at-risk groups is the first step toward prevention and management.

Quick Summary

Vitamin deficiencies disproportionately affect specific populations due to dietary limitations, physiological changes, or medical conditions. High-risk groups include the elderly, pregnant women, infants, and individuals with malabsorption disorders or alcohol use disorder. Factors like diet, medication, and lifestyle contribute to inadequacy, necessitating targeted prevention and monitoring.

Key Points

Older Adults: The elderly are highly susceptible to deficiencies in vitamins D, B12, and B6 due to reduced appetite, impaired absorption, and less sun exposure.
Pregnant Women and Infants: Increased nutritional needs during pregnancy make deficiencies in folate, iron, and vitamin D common, impacting both mother and infant development.
Vegan and Restrictive Diets: Vegans and strict vegetarians must be mindful of vitamin B12 deficiency, as this nutrient is found exclusively in animal products.
Malabsorption Conditions: Disorders like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and bariatric surgery significantly reduce the body's ability to absorb essential vitamins from food.
Alcohol Use Disorder: Chronic alcohol consumption leads to inadequate dietary intake and impaired nutrient absorption, commonly causing deficiencies in B vitamins and folate.

Who Is Most Susceptible to Vitamin Deficiencies?

Certain physiological stages, lifestyle choices, and health conditions make some individuals inherently more susceptible to vitamin deficiencies than others. Understanding these risk factors is crucial for proactive health management. While a balanced diet is fundamental for everyone, those in at-risk groups often require special attention to their nutritional intake, possibly including fortified foods or supplementation.

The Elderly and Nutrient Absorption

Older adults are a primary risk group for several vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamins D, B12, and B6. This increased vulnerability is linked to multiple age-related factors, including decreased nutrient absorption, lower calorie intake, limited sun exposure, and the use of multiple medications. For example, the aging process can reduce stomach acid needed for B12 absorption and the skin's ability to synthesize Vitamin D.

Pregnant and Lactating Women

Pregnancy and breastfeeding significantly increase the body's need for specific micronutrients. Deficiencies in folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iron are concerns due to their critical roles in fetal development and maternal health. Folate is vital for preventing neural tube defects, and iron is needed for increased blood volume.

Infants and Young Children

Rapid growth and feeding patterns make infants vulnerable to deficiencies like vitamin D, especially in breastfed babies. Infants of vegan mothers are at risk for B12 deficiency if the mother is not adequately supplemented, which can cause developmental delays.

Individuals with Restrictive Diets

Diets excluding entire food groups, such as strict veganism, increase the risk of deficiencies in nutrients primarily found in those foods. Vitamin B12, found exclusively in animal products, is a major concern for vegans, requiring fortified foods or supplements. Vitamin D and other nutrients like iron, zinc, iodine, and calcium may also require extra attention on vegan diets.

People with Malabsorption Disorders

Conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract hinder nutrient absorption. Chronic diseases like Crohn's, celiac disease, and cystic fibrosis damage the intestinal lining, impairing absorption of various vitamins. Bariatric surgery also alters digestion, often leading to reduced absorption of iron, calcium, and B vitamins.

Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder

Chronic alcohol consumption leads to malnutrition by displacing nutrient-rich food and damaging the gut, impairing absorption and metabolism of vitamins, particularly B vitamins and folate. Thiamine (B1) deficiency is a serious risk, potentially causing neurological disorders.

Comparison of Vitamin Deficiency Risks in At-Risk Groups


Risk Group	Common Deficiencies	Primary Cause(s)	Key Intervention Strategies
Elderly	Vitamins D, B12, B6, C	Reduced appetite, impaired absorption, limited sun exposure, polypharmacy	Supplements (oral/injections), fortified foods, adequate sun exposure, dietary planning
Pregnant/Lactating Women	Folate, Vitamin B12, D, Iron	Increased maternal and fetal requirements	Prenatal supplements, iron-folic acid supplementation, balanced diet
Vegans/Strict Vegetarians	Vitamin B12, D, Calcium, Iron, Zinc	Exclusion of animal products from diet	B12 supplements, fortified foods, plant-based calcium/iron sources
Malabsorption Patients	Vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, Folate	Intestinal damage from disease, bariatric surgery	Treating underlying condition, targeted high-dose supplements, injections
Chronic Alcohol Users	Thiamine (B1), B2, B6, Folate, A	Inadequate intake, impaired absorption and metabolism, nutrient displacement	Supplementation (especially B1), dietary counseling, treatment for AUD

Practical Steps to Mitigate Deficiency Risk

Preventing vitamin deficiency involves a combination of dietary strategies, lifestyle adjustments, and professional medical guidance. A diverse diet, fortified foods, and targeted supplementation based on individual risk factors are key. Regular medical checkups can identify deficiencies early, and lifestyle habits like sun exposure and addressing underlying health issues also play a role.

Conclusion

Vitamin deficiencies are a significant health concern, often preventable and treatable with targeted interventions for at-risk groups. While a balanced diet is crucial, factors like age, physiological state, diet, and chronic disease require personalized strategies. The elderly, pregnant women, infants, vegans, and those with malabsorption or alcohol use disorder are particularly vulnerable. Prevention involves dietary planning, fortified foods, strategic supplementation, and medical oversight. Consulting a healthcare provider or registered dietitian is recommended for complex nutritional needs. For more information on dietary guidelines, consult the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other recognized medical authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The elderly are at high risk due to several age-related factors, including decreased appetite, less efficient nutrient absorption, lower sun exposure impacting vitamin D synthesis, and potential interactions with multiple medications.

Pregnant women have increased needs for folate, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. These are essential for fetal development, preventing birth defects, and supporting the increased blood volume and bone health of the mother.

Not necessarily, but vegans are at a much higher risk since B12 is only naturally present in animal products. With careful dietary planning, including fortified foods or supplementation, deficiency can be avoided.

Malabsorption disorders, such as celiac or Crohn's disease, cause inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. This damage impairs the body's ability to effectively absorb nutrients, including vitamins, into the bloodstream.

Chronic alcohol use is most commonly associated with a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1), which can lead to serious neurological damage like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Yes, many forms of vitamin deficiency anemia, particularly those related to B12 and folate, can be prevented. This is best done by eating a diverse diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and fortified grains, and through supplements if needed.

If you suspect a vitamin deficiency, you should consult a healthcare professional. They can perform blood tests to confirm the deficiency and recommend a treatment plan, which may include dietary changes, fortified foods, or supplements.