Objective: Using data from the national micronutrients survey 2011-2012, the present study explored the status of subclinical vitamin A nutrition and the underlying determinants in the Bangladeshi population.
Design: A nationwide cross-sectional study. Settings The survey covered 150 clusters; fifty in each of rural, urban and slum strata.
Subjects: Three population groups: (i) pre-school age children (6-59 months; PSAC); (ii) school age children (6-14 years; SAC); and (iii) non-pregnant non-lactating women (15-49 years; NPNLW).
Results: National prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was 20·5, 20·8 and 5·3 % in PSAC, SAC and NPNLW, respectively. Slum populations had higher prevalence compared with urban (PSAC: 38·1 v. 21·2 %, P0·05 for differences in β between <3 months v. 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months).
Conclusions: Prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was high in children in Bangladesh. Intakes of animal-source foods and leafy vegetables were associated with higher and lower retinol status, respectively. Increased food diversity through animal-source foods is required.
Keywords: Animal-source foods; Bangladesh; Subclinical vitamin A status; Vitamin A supplementation.