Vitamin Deficit, Hidden Danger: Awareness of Biochemical Importance of Vitamin D and B12 Among Urban Residents of Punjab

Background: Hidden micronutrient deficiencies—particularly those of vitamin D and vitamin B₁₂—are emerging as major public health concerns in urban India. Sedentary lifestyles, inadequate sunlight exposure, and predominantly vegetarian diets have contributed to widespread biochemical insufficiencies, even among educated populations. Punjab, undergoing rapid urbanization, exemplifies this paradox of nutritional transition. This study aimed to assess the awareness, perception, and preventive practices regarding these vitamins among urban residents.

Materials and Methods: A community-based, Google Form–based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2025 among 420 adults residing in various urban areas of Punjab. A validated and reliable online questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.86) assessed socio-demographic details, knowledge of vitamin D and B₁₂, and related perceptions and practices. Each correct response was scored as one, and cumulative awareness levels were categorized as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. Data were exported to Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS v26, applying descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to determine associations (p < 0.05 considered significant).

Results: Overall awareness was moderate to good, with mean knowledge scores of 13.8 ± 3.4 for vitamin D and 13.6 ± 3.1 for vitamin B₁₂. Approximately two-thirds of participants exhibited good to excellent knowledge, yet significant biochemical misconceptions persisted—only 44.8% correctly identified 25-hydroxy vitamin D as the diagnostic marker, and 56.2% recognized the role of intrinsic factor in B₁₂ absorption. Although 63.3% reported positive perceptions toward preventive behavior, merely 36% had undergone vitamin testing, revealing a pronounced knowledge–practice gap. Awareness and proactive behavior were significantly associated with education level, occupation, income, dietary pattern, and sunlight exposure (p < 0.05), while gender showed no significant correlation.

Conclusion: Despite satisfactory awareness levels, preventive practices remain insufficient among urban Punjabis. Enhanced digital health education, routine screening drives, and mandatory food fortification policies are urgently needed to transform awareness into sustainable health behavior and mitigate the silent epidemic of vitamin D and B₁₂ deficiencies.