National nutrition surveys in European countries provide an indication of current intake of some B vitamins.
In Germany, men generally meet national recommendations for intake of B vitamins. However, a significant number of women do not meet intake requirements for vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) (17). The results of the German National Nutrition Monitoring (NEMONIT) observed a significant decreased intake of thiamin in women and men between 2006 and 2012 (23).
In Austria, by contrast, certain population groups were shown to be deficient in vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Women under the age of 25 and aged between 35 and 45 years did not meet requirements for B1, B2 and B6. Among Austrian men, only those aged 46–55 years met requirements for B2 and insufficient intake of B6 was demonstrated for those aged between 36 and 45 years and over 56 years (18).
In the U.S., the average dietary vitamin B1 (thiamin) intake for young adult men is about 2 mg/day and 1.2 mg/day for young adult women.
A survey of people over the age of 60 found an average dietary thiamin intake of 1.4 mg/day for men and 1.1 mg/day for women (15).
However, institutionalization and poverty both increase the likelihood of inadequate vitamin B1 (thiamin) intake in the elderly (16).
Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010, reviewed and revised by Angelika Friedel on 29.06.17
