Factors That Might Put Someone More at Risk for Developing a Deficiency

November 19, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, micronutrient-related malnutrition affects billions globally, making it one of the greatest health challenges. Various factors might put someone more at risk for developing a deficiency, beyond simply a lack of food.

Quick Summary

This article explores the key factors and circumstances that can significantly increase an individual's vulnerability to nutritional deficiencies, including diet, medical conditions, age, and lifestyle habits.

Key Points

Dietary Restrictions: Following a vegetarian, vegan, or highly restrictive diet significantly increases the risk of specific deficiencies, such as Vitamin B12, iron, and zinc.
Malabsorption Conditions: Medical issues like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and bariatric surgery interfere with the gut's ability to absorb nutrients, even with proper intake.
Age and Life Stage: Infants, older adults, and pregnant or breastfeeding women have unique and increased nutritional needs that can make them more vulnerable to deficiencies.
Chronic Health Issues: Diseases like liver disease, kidney disease, and autoimmune conditions can alter metabolism, increase nutrient requirements, or cause malabsorption.
Lifestyle Habits: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can hinder nutrient absorption, particularly for B vitamins and Vitamin C.
Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty and food insecurity can limit access to a diverse range of nutritious foods, increasing overall risk.

Understanding the Root Causes of Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies occur when the body does not absorb or get enough of a nutrient from food. While a poor diet is a common culprit, the causes are often more complex, involving physiological, medical, and lifestyle factors. Understanding these root causes is the first step toward effective prevention and management.

Dietary and Lifestyle Factors

Dietary habits are a primary driver of nutrient deficiencies. Poor food choices, restrictive diets, and a lack of access to nutritious food can all contribute to inadequate nutrient intake.

Restrictive Diets: Diets that exclude entire food groups, such as vegan or vegetarian diets, may require careful planning and potentially supplementation to ensure adequate intake of nutrients like Vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. Fad diets or severe calorie restriction can also increase risk.
Processed Foods: Consuming a diet primarily of processed foods, which are often stripped of vitamins and minerals during manufacturing, can lead to deficiencies.
Alcohol and Smoking: Excessive and long-term alcohol use can hinder the absorption of vitamins, particularly B vitamins and Vitamin C. Smoking also negatively impacts Vitamin C absorption.
Food Insecurity: Limited access to nutritious food due to economic hardship or poverty is a significant risk factor for nutrient deficiencies in many populations.

Medical Conditions Affecting Nutrient Absorption

Certain health conditions and medical interventions can impair the body's ability to absorb and utilize nutrients.

Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome can cause inflammation and damage to the digestive tract, reducing nutrient absorption.
Bariatric Surgery: Weight loss surgeries can alter the digestive system, decreasing the area available for nutrient absorption and often requiring lifelong supplementation.
Autoimmune Diseases: Some autoimmune diseases, like pernicious anemia, interfere with specific nutrient absorption pathways, such as Vitamin B12.
Chronic Illnesses: Conditions including liver disease, kidney disease, and cancer can increase nutritional needs, alter metabolism, or impact appetite, contributing to deficiencies.

Life Stage and Other Physiological Factors

Nutrient requirements and the risk of deficiency vary across different life stages and physiological states.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: The increased demands of pregnancy and lactation necessitate higher intake of certain nutrients like iron, folate, and calcium.
Infants and Children: Rapid growth requires high nutrient intake. Breastfed infants may need Vitamin D supplements.
Older Adults: Factors such as reduced appetite, mobility issues, decreased stomach acid, and medication use can increase the risk of deficiencies in older adults, commonly affecting Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels.
Genetic Predispositions: Some genetic factors can affect nutrient absorption or metabolism.

Comparative Overview of Deficiency Risk Factors


Factor Type	Key Contributing Elements	Impact on Nutrient Status
Dietary	Restrictive diets (veganism), food insecurity, low intake of whole foods, high processed food intake	Inadequate intake of specific nutrients (e.g., B12, Iron in vegans); general micronutrient depletion
Medical	Malabsorption disorders (Crohn's, celiac), post-bariatric surgery, autoimmune diseases, chronic illness	Impaired absorption and utilization of nutrients regardless of intake; increased requirements; altered metabolism
Lifestyle	Alcohol abuse, smoking, sedentary habits	Impaired nutrient absorption (B vitamins, Vit C); poor overall health and nutrient status
Physiological	Age (elderly, infants), pregnancy/lactation, rapid growth, genetic variations	Increased requirements or decreased absorption due to life stage; impaired metabolic processes

A Path to Prevention and Management

Preventing and managing nutrient deficiencies requires addressing the underlying cause. Strategies include:

Balanced Diet: Consuming a variety of nutrient-dense whole foods.
Supplementation: Using targeted supplements under medical supervision to fill specific nutrient gaps.
Medical Treatment: Managing underlying health conditions that affect nutrient absorption or metabolism.
Lifestyle Modification: Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake.
Education: Learning about nutritional needs and healthy eating practices.

Conclusion

Several factors, including diet, medical conditions, age, and lifestyle, can increase someone's risk of developing a nutrient deficiency. Addressing these risks through personalized strategies, a balanced diet, potential supplementation, and managing underlying health issues is crucial for maintaining optimal nutritional health.

For more information on malnutrition and at-risk populations, consult the World Health Organization website. [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition].

Frequently Asked Questions

Medical conditions that can cause nutrient deficiencies include malabsorption disorders like Crohn's and celiac disease, autoimmune conditions such as pernicious anemia, and chronic illnesses like liver or kidney disease.

Yes, vegetarian and vegan diets can increase the risk for deficiencies in nutrients primarily found in animal products, such as Vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. Supplementation is often recommended.

As people age, they may experience reduced appetite, decreased stomach acid production, and other physiological changes that hinder nutrient absorption, increasing the risk for deficiencies like Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D.

Yes, certain types of weight loss surgery, like gastric bypass, alter the digestive tract and can significantly interfere with nutrient absorption. Patients typically need lifelong supplementation to prevent deficiencies.

Long-term alcohol abuse can damage the digestive tract and interfere with the absorption of various vitamins, including B vitamins and Vitamin C, contributing to deficiencies.

Yes, pregnant and breastfeeding women have higher nutritional requirements to support both themselves and their baby. They are at an increased risk for deficiencies in nutrients like iron, folate, and calcium.

In some cases, yes. Certain genetic diseases or variations can disrupt the body's ability to properly metabolize or absorb specific nutrients, increasing the risk of deficiency.