Series 11

No. 243

Blood Folate and Vitamin B12:

United States, 1988–94

December 1998

Vital and

Health Statistics

From the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION / National Center for Health Statistics

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics
Copyright Information

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be

reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is

appreciated.

Trade name disclaimer

The use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply

endorsement by the Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services.

Suggested citation

Wright JD, Bialostosky K, Gunter EW, Carroll MD, Najjar MF, Bowman BA,

Johnson CL. Blood folate and vitamin B12: United States, 1988–94. National

Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(243). 1998.

Library of Congress-in-Publication Data

Blood folate and vitamin B12: United States, 1988–95 / [Jacqueline D. Wright ...

et al.].

p. cm.—(Vital and health statistics. Series 11, Data from the National

Health Survey ; no. 243) (DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 99-1693)

Includes bibliographical references.

Added title page title: Blood folate and vitamin B12.

ISBN 0-8406-0551-X

1. Folic acid deficiency—United States—Statistics. 2. Vitamin B12

deficiency— United States—Statistics. I. Wright, Jacqueline D. II. National

Center for Health Statistics (U.S.) III. Title: Blood folate and vitamin B12.

IV. Series. V. Series: DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 99-1693.

[DNLM : 1. Folate Acid—blood statistics. 2. Vitamin B12—blood statistics.

W2 A N148vk no. 243 1998]

RA407.3.A347 no. 243

[RA645.N87]

362.1’0973’021 s

[614.5’9396]—DC21

DNLM/DLC

for Library of Congress 98-32459

CIP

For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office

Superintendent of Documents

Mail Stop: SSOP

Washington, DC 20402-9328

Printed on acid-free paper.
Blood Folate and Vitamin B12:

United States, 1988–94

Series 11:

Data From the National Health

Examination Survey, the National

Health and Nutrition Examination

Surveys, and the Hispanic Health

and Nutrition Examination Survey

No. 243

Hyattsville, Maryland

December 1998

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1467

Vital and

Health Statistics

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director

Jack R. Anderson, Deputy Director

Jack R. Anderson, Acting Associate Director for

International Statistics

Lester R. Curtin, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Research and Methodology

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Analysis, Epidemiology, and Health Promotion

P. Douglas Williams, Acting Associate Director for Data

Standards, Program Development, and Extramural Programs

Edward L. Hunter, Associate Director for Planning, Budget,

and Legislation

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Vital and Health Statistics Systems

Stephen E. Nieberding, Associate Director for

Management

Charles J. Rothwell, Associate Director for Data

Processing and Services

Division of Health Examination Statistics

Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., Director

Clifford L. Johnson, M.S.P.H., Deputy Director

Ronette R. Briefel, Dr.P.H., R.D., Nutrition Policy Advisor

Rosemarie Hirsch, M.D., Acting Chief, Analysis Branch

Jean Findlay, Chief, Operations Branch

Vicki L. Burt, Sc.M., R.N., Chief, Survey Planning Branch

Lewis Berman, Chief, Information Management Branch
Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................... 1

Methods .............................................................................................. 2

Survey Design ....................................................................................... 2

Laboratory Methods .................................................................................. 3

Response Rates....................................................................................... 3

Statistical Methods ................................................................................... 3

Results ............................................................................................... 4

Estimates for the Three Vitamin Biomarkers ............................................................... 4

Serum Folate......................................................................................... 5

Red Blood Cell Folate ................................................................................ 6

Serum Vitamin B12 .................................................................................... 7

Factors Affecting Folate and Vitamin B12 Blood Concentrations ............................................... 9

Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Appendixes

I. Serum Vitamin B12 Geometric Means and Confidence Intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

II. Sample Sizes for Tables 28–36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Text Tables

A. Response rates for persons 4 years and over: third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–94 ..... 4

B. Summary of analyses for confounders ................................................................. 9

Text Figures

1. Age-adjusted mean serum folate concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and race-ethnicity:

United States, 1988–94.............................................................................. 5

2. Mean serum folate concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and age: United States, 1988–94 ........... 6

3. Age-adjusted mean red blood cell folate concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and race-ethnicity:

United States, 1988–94 ............................................................................. 7

4. Mean red blood cell folate concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and age: United States, 1988–94 .... 7

5. Median serum vitamin B12 concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and race-ethnicity: United States,

1991–94 .......................................................................................... 8

6. Median serum vitamin B12 concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and age: United States, 1991–94 .... 8

Detailed Tables

1. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard

error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard

error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

iii
3. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard

error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

4. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

5. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

6. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

7. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

8. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

9. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

10. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

11. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard

error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States, 1988–94. . . . . . . . 24

12. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

13. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons,

mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

14. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons,

mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

15. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons,

mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

16. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons,

mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

17. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

18. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and poverty level: United States,

1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

19. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard

error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . 32

20. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard

error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . 33

21. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard

error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . 34

22. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons,

mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

23. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

24. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

25. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States,

1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

iv
26. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States,

1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

27. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean,

standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age, and education level: United States,

1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

28. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

29. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

30. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

31. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

32. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

33. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

34. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

35. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

36. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, by

race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Appendix Tables

I. Geometric means and 95 percent confidence intervals for serum vitamin B12 for persons 4 years and over by sex,

age, and race-ethnicity: United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

II. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

III. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

IV. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age: United States,

1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

V. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988–94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

VI. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988–94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

VII. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

VIII. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

IX. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs and age:

United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

X. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1991–94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

v
Objectives

This report presents national

estimates of serum and red blood cell

(RBC) folate and serum vitamin B12

distributions for persons 4 years and

over, by sociodemographic variables.

Methods

The third National Health and

Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES

III) (1988–94), provides information on

the health and nutritional status of the

civilian noninstitutionalized U.S.

population. The analytic sample

included 23,378 participants with serum

folate data, 23,082 with RBC folate

data, and 11,851 with serum vitamin

B12 data.

Results

The mean serum and RBC folate

concentrations are 7.2 and 196

nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL),

respectively, and the mean serum

vitamin B12 concentration is 518

picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

Non-Hispanic white people have higher

mean serum and RBC folate

concentrations than non-Hispanic black

or Mexican American people. Serum

vitamin B12 concentrations are lowest

for older adults, and non-Hispanic black

people have higher serum B12

concentrations than non-Hispanic white

individuals. Only approximately

3 percent of the population has a serum

B12 concentration less than 200 pg/mL.

Conclusions

Inadequate folate status may be

more prevalent among non-Hispanic

black and Mexican American people.

Data also suggest a modest prevalence

of low serum B12 concentrations. Future

assessments of folate and vitamin B12

status will be important to evaluate the

impact of a recently enacted

fortification policy.

Keywords: folate c vitamin B12 c

NHANES III c nutritional status c

biochemistries c red blood cell c

serum

Blood Folate and Vitamin B12:

United States, 1988–94

by Jacqueline D. Wright, M.P.H.; Karil Bialostosky, M.S.; Elaine W.

Gunter, MT (ASCP); Margaret D. Carroll, M.S.P.H.; Matthew F.

Najjar; Barbara A. Bowman, Ph.D.; Clifford L. Johnson, M.S.P.H.

Introduction

The water-soluble B vitamins

folate and vitamin B12 are

essential to human health,

particularly during growth and

development. These vitamins were

identified through research on the nature

and treatment of macrocytic and

megaloblastic anemias (1,2). Folate

exists in the form of multiple

compounds with a pteroylglutamic

structure in common. The main form of

folate in the blood is

methyltetrahydrofolate.

Methyltetrahydrofolate acts as a

one-carbon donor and acceptor in the

synthesis of building blocks of DNA,

thymidylate and purines, as well as

certain neurotransmitters, phospholipids,

and hormones (1).

Methyltetrahydrofolate also provides a

methyl group in the production of

methionine from homocysteine.

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid

present in blood, which has been

associated with increased risk for

thrombo-occlusive heart disease.

Vitamin B12 is commonly referred to as

cyanocobalamin and is a required

coenzyme in the metabolism of folate

(2). Because of their involvement in

DNA synthesis, deficiencies in folate or

vitamin B12 cause abnormalities in this

process. Due to the rapid turnover of

blood cells, clinical signs of folate or

B12 deficiency first appear in the

hematopoietic system with neutrophil

hypersegmentation and morphologic

changes in the megaloblasts and

macrocytosis of the red blood cells (3).

These changes indicate the onset of

megaloblastic anemia.

Although the biologic mechanism is

unknown, folate intake appears to play a

role in the pathogenesis of neural tube

birth defects (NTD’s). Recent clinical

trials have shown that folic acid

supplementation decreases the risk of

neural tube defects (4,5). In 1992, the

U.S. Public Health Service issued a

recommendation that all women of

childbearing age in the United States

who are capable of becoming pregnant

should consume 0.4 mg of folic acid per

day to reduce the risk of pregnancies

affected by neural tube defects (6).

Research has also indicated that these

vitamins may play a role in the

development of chronic diseases such as

cardiovascular disease and certain

cancers (7–15). The meta-analysis

conducted by Boushey and coauthors

(16) found an increased risk of coronary

artery disease associated with increases

in total homocysteine. In the

Framingham Heart Study, plasma

homocysteine concentrations were

associated with low concentrations of

folate and vitamin B12 and with an

increased risk of carotid artery stenosis

(9). The role of folate status has been

investigated in the development of

cancer of the stomach, colon, and cervix

because of folate’s role in DNA

synthesis and repair (1). Early studies

suggested an association between folate

deficiency leading to megaloblastic

morphologic changes and the

appearance of precancerous cells. In

addition, folate and vitamin B12 have

been associated with psychiatric

disorders and cognitive difficulties

(17,18). Riggs and coauthors (17) found

associations between folate, vitamin B12,

and homocysteine and poor results on

cognitive tests. Because of the rapid rate

of turnover of red blood cells (RBC),

Page 1
RBC folate concentrations are an

indicator of more long-term vitamin

status, while serum folate and serum

vitamin B12 are indicators of current

status. Using these indicators, this report

describes the concentrations of these

vitamins in the blood and presents

reference data for the U.S. population, 4

years of age and over. The source for

these data is the third National Health

and Nutrition Examination Survey

(NHANES III), conducted from

1988–94 by the National Center for

Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The National Health and Nutrition

Examination Surveys (NHANES) are

designed to provide periodic information

on the health and nutritional status of

the civilian noninstitutionalized

population of the United States. The

survey program was begun in 1960 with

three surveys of health status, the

National Health Examination Surveys

(NHES) (19–21). In 1970, an expanded

nutrition component was added to

provide data with which to assess

nutritional status and dietary practices.

At that time, the name was changed to

the National Health and Nutrition

Examination Survey (22,23). The

NHANES III is the seventh and most

recent NHANES.

Measures of folate status have been

included in previous NHANES. The

NHANES II data indicated that

prevalence of low folate values was

greatest in females, 20–44 years old,

although the differences from those for

other sex or age groups were not

statistically significant (24). The

Hispanic Health and Nutrition

Examination Survey (HHANES),

conducted from 1982–84, sampled three

Hispanic subgroups: Cuban Americans,

Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans

(25). Laboratory analyses of serum and

red blood cell folate were performed on

women 18–44 years old from HHANES.

Analysis of these data indicates that

serum and red cell folate levels are

similar among the three Hispanic

subgroups (26). The investigators also

concluded that while education and

poverty level does not affect folate

status, the use of vitamin supplements

does. That is, mean serum and red cell

folate concentrations are higher for

those reporting use of dietary

supplements than for those not reporting

use of supplements. These differences

are statistically significant for Mexican

American and Puerto Rican people.

One of the goals of NHANES III is

to estimate national population reference

distributions of selected health

parameters, including nutritional status

indicators. This report provides national

reference data on indicators of folate

and vitamin B12 status. These are the

first nationally representative data on

serum vitamin B12 concentrations. As a

cornerstone of the National Nutrition

Monitoring and Related Research

Program, the NHANES III provides data

for public policy decisions and program

planning, including the regulation of

food fortification (27). In January 1998,

a regulation issued by the Food and

Drug Administration (FDA) went into

effect requiring that folic acid be added

to all enriched cereal grain products

(28). These NHANES III results provide

a baseline for future population

assessments of blood folate

concentrations, including evaluation of

the impact of folic acid fortification on

the folate status of the population.

Methods

Survey Design

The NHANES III used a stratified,

multistage design to provide a

representative probability sample

of the civilian noninstitutionalized

population of the United States, ages 2

months and over. The survey was

conducted from October 1988 through

October 1994, and was designed as two

3-year phases, each constituting a

national probability sample. The 6-year

sample, also a national probability

sample, provides more statistically

reliable estimates due to its larger size.

Subgroups of the population were

oversampled to allow increased

precision in estimates for these groups.

This includes black and

Mexican-American people, all children 2

months through 5 years of age, and all

persons 60 years and over. A detailed

description of sample design

specifications is included in the Plan

and Operation of the Third National

Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey, 1988–94 (29).

The survey included an interview

conducted in the household and an

examination at a mobile examination

center (MEC). Information obtained

during the interview included individual

characteristics such as sex, age,

self-reported race and ethnicity, years of

education completed, and household

income information. The interviewer

also asked questions on selected health

conditions and behaviors, including

information on smoking and use of

vitamin or mineral supplements.

The examination consisted of a

variety of physical measurements and a

phlebotomy. The MEC examination also

included an additional interview in a

more private setting than the household

to allow more personal or sensitive

questions to be asked. Questions on

reproductive health were asked in the

MEC interview and detailed information

on use of oral contraceptives and

hormone replacement therapy was

obtained.

To increase response rates, a home

examination was offered to frail older

people and others unable to travel to the

MEC. The home examination was more

limited than the MEC examination, but

did include phlebotomy and an

interview. A detailed description of the

data collection methods for the survey

has been published elsewhere (29).

In this report, age is defined as age

in years at the time of the household

interview. Age in years was defined as

the age at last birthday. For example, all

children 10.00–10.99 would be defined

as 10 years old.

Information on self-reported race

and ethnicity was used to classify

persons as non-Hispanic white,

non-Hispanic black, Mexican American,

or other race-ethnicity. Separate

estimates are presented for persons

classified as non-Hispanic white,

non-Hispanic black, and Mexican

Americans only. Other race-ethnicities

were reported in insufficient numbers to

allow reliable estimates. Participants of

other race-ethnicities are included in the

total or ‘‘all race-ethnicities’’ category.

Page 2 [ Series 11, No. 243
The categories of age and race-ethnicity

used for the tables in this report are

based on the sample design subdomains

and are those recommended for

improved precision of estimates in the

NHANES III Analytic Guidelines in the

section titled ‘‘Key Variables for

Analysis’’ (29, p.4).

Pregnancy status was determined by

self-report for females 10 years and

over, with additional information from

the results of urine testing for females

20 years and over. Pregnant women

were excluded from these analyses.

Education was defined as the

highest grade completed. It was

categorized as less than 12 years of

education and 12 years of education (or

Graduate Equivalency Degree) or more.

Poverty status was defined using the

poverty income ratio (PIR), and

categorized as below poverty level (PIR

less than 1.00) and at or above poverty

level (PIR of 1.00 or more). Poverty

income ratio is a calculated variable

based on income and family size using

tables published each year by the

Bureau of the Census (30). This variable

has been adjusted to account for

inflation and other factors; however, the

manner in which it is calculated has

changed slightly over time.

Before the examinee underwent

phlebotomy, a questionnaire was

administered to determine eligibility for

all phlebotomy procedures. This

included questions to determine risks

that would prohibit venipuncture, such

as the examinee being a diagnosed

hemophiliac or currently taking

blood-thinning medication. Questions

were also asked to document and

determine fasting compliance and to aid

in interpreting the results of the

laboratory tests performed. At the time

of the phlebotomy, the time of the day

of the venipuncture was recorded.

Examinees ages 12 years and over were

instructed to fast for 10–16 hours prior

to the morning examination, or for 6

hours before the afternoon or evening

examination.

Laboratory Methods

Serum and red blood cell (RBC)

folate were measured on all persons 4

years and over during all 6 years of

NHANES III. In the second phase of

NHANES III, 1991–94, serum vitamin

B12 was also measured for persons 4

years and over. Detailed specimen

collection and processing instructions

are described in the Laboratory

Procedures Manual (29).

From the start of data collection in

October 1988 through November 1993,

serum and RBC folate were analyzed

using a commercially available

radioassay (RA) kit (Quanta Phase I

Folate Radioassay Kit, manufactured by

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA).

Beginning in December 1993 through

the end of the survey, the Quanta Phase

II Kit was used, which contained

corrected pteroylglutamic acid (PGA)

calibrators; this kit also simultaneously

measured serum vitamin B12. Quality

control monitoring by the NHANES

Laboratory of CDC and independent

investigations by other researchers had

previously determined that results

obtained from the Quanta Phase I Kit

were about 30 percent too high. This

difference was due to the values

assigned in 1975 to the original kit PGA

calibrators. Radioassay kits were

developed in the mid-1970’s to permit

these assays to be performed in

hospitals. Kit manufacturers adjusted the

concentration of the PGA calibrator

solutions so that values generated by the

kit agreed with those generated by the

Lactobacillus casei microbiologic assay.

In 1993, Bio-Rad Laboratories corrected

the concentration of the calibrator

solutions in the Quanta Phase II Kits.

Based on comparative studies conducted

by the NHANES Laboratory of CDC, an

equation was calculated to adjust for the

discrepancy in values obtained from the

Quanta Phase I Kits:

Adjusted value = –0.1411

+ 0.6849(unadjusted value).

After applying the adjustment,

values are approximately 32 percent

lower. This adjustment was applied to

the NHANES III serum and RBC folate

values produced with the Quanta-Phase

I Kit. These investigations and the

recommendations of an expert panel

convened by the Life Sciences Research

Office (LSRO) of the Federation of

American Societies for Experimental

Biology are described in a report

prepared by the LSRO for the Food and

Drug Administration (31).

Response Rates

Survey response rates and sample

sizes for all 6 years of NHANES III and

for Phase 2 (1991–94) are summarized

in table A. For these analyses, 354

pregnant women were excluded. Of the

33,027 nonpregnant persons 4 years and

over who were selected over the 6 years

of the survey, 27,658 (84 percent) were

interviewed in their homes. All

interviewed persons were invited to the

MEC for a medical examination.

Seventy-seven percent (25,314) of the

selected persons 4 years and over were

examined in the MEC or home. Of

those examined, 23,378 had valid serum

folate data and 23,082 had valid RBC

folate data. For serum vitamin B12 in

Phase 2 (1991–94), 16,279 nonpregnant

persons 4 years and over were selected,

and 13,560 (83 percent) were

interviewed in their homes.

Seventy-seven percent (12,578) of the

nonpregnant selected persons 4 years

and over were examined in the MEC or

home. Of those examined, 11,851 had

valid serum vitamin B12 data. Serum

and RBC folate and serum B12 data

could be missing for a variety of

reasons including refusal, incomplete

venipuncture, or incomplete laboratory

analysis. The proportion of records with

missing data was not different between

race-ethnic groups or between sexes for

all three biomarkers, although the

youngest and oldest age groups had

slightly more missing data than other

age groups.

Statistical Methods

This report presents population

means, standard errors of the means,

and selected percentiles for serum and

RBC folate and serum vitamin B12. Data

are weighted to account for survey

design and nonresponse. Appropriate

sample weights are needed to estimate

means, medians, and other statistics.

Several aspects of the NHANES III

design must be taken into account in

data analysis. Sample weights are used

to produce accurate population estimates

because each sample person does not

have the same probability of selection.

The sample weights incorporate the

differential probabilities of selection and

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 3
include adjustments for oversampling of

certain populations, noncoverage and

nonresponse. Sample weights for the

6-year sample are used to produce

estimates for serum and RBC folate,

while sample weights for Phase 2

(1991–94) are used to produce estimates

for serum B12.

Standard errors of the means were

estimated using two computer software

programs—SAS and SUDAAN.

SUDAAN is a program that takes into

account the sampling weights and the

complex sample design for calculating

variance estimates (32,33). In addition,

adjustments were made to the standard

errors of the mean (SE) to account for

the average design effect using the

following equations:

SE = √DE c

SD

√n where

DE = the design effect, which is the

ratio of the complex sampling

design variance derived from

SUDAAN (31) to the simple

random sample variance

calculated by SAS (30),

DE = the design effect averaged

over the age categories, and

SD = the standard deviation

calculated by SAS assuming a

simple random sample (34).

These adjustments were made to the

standard error of the mean because for

serum vitamin B12, data are available

from only one phase of the two-phase

sampling design. NHANES III was

designed with two Primary Sampling

Units (PSU’s) selected per stratum with

each assigned randomly to Phase 1 or

Phase 2 (29). When computing variance

estimates for only one phase, strata must

be collapsed, or paired, to achieve an

implied two-PSU’s-per-stratum design.

While standard errors from one phase

can be estimated using SUDAAN, they

are slightly overestimated. Kish

discusses modeling standard errors to

improve the precision of the standard

error estimates using the design effect

(35). This discussion provides the basis

for the algorithm used. Because the

design effect is different for different

subgroups, an average design effect is

used to model, or smooth, the standard

error estimates.

The average design effect was also

used to determine the minimum sample

size needed to reliably estimate means

and percentiles. Reliability of an

estimated mean or percent also depends

on the coefficient of variation or relative

standard error (RSE), defined as the

ratio of the standard error of the

estimate to the estimate times 100. The

larger the RSE of the estimate, the less

reliable the estimate. In this report,

estimates with a RSE greater than

25 percent are deemed unreliable. An

asterisk on certain estimates denotes

data that are not presented because

criteria for reliability or precision for

reporting were not met. The use of these

criteria follow recommendations

described in the NHANES III Analytic

Guidelines in the appendix titled ‘‘The

Joint Policy on Variance Estimation and

Statistical Reporting Standards on

NHANES III and CSF II Reports:

HNIS/NCHS Analytic Working Group

Recommendations’’ (29, p.39).

When comparing estimates, only

statistically significant differences are

reported. Tests of differences and

95 percent confidence limits were

computed using SUDAAN (33).

Differences were tested for statistical

significance using an α level of 0.05.

Where multiple comparisons were made,

the α level was adjusted using the

Bonferroni method by dividing 0.05 by

the number of implied comparisons (36).

In instances where results are not

statistically significant, this may indicate

that the statistical power is too low to

detect a difference. That is, one should

not conclude that a real difference does

not necessarily exist because it is

possible that the sample size is too

small to correctly detect a difference. To

make appropriate comparisons between

race-ethnic groups, means were age

adjusted by the direct method.

Following the recommendation in the

NHANES III Analytic Guidelines, the

1980 Census population proportions

were used for these adjustments (29).

Results

Estimates for the Three

Vitamin Biomarkers

The following tables provide

various estimates for serum

folate, red blood cell (RBC)

folate, and vitamin B12. Tables 1–9

present means, standard errors of the

means, age-adjusted means, and selected

percentiles for serum folate, red blood

cell folate, and serum vitamin B12 by

sex, race-ethnicity, and age.

Tables 10–18 present estimates for these

vitamin biomarkers by sex, raceethnicity, age, and poverty level.

Tables 19–27 present estimates by sex,

race-ethnicity, age, and years of

education. Tables 28–36 show

cumulative distributions for the three

biomarkers by sex, race-ethnicity, and

age categories. The cumulative percent

distributions can be used to identify the

percent of the population below or

above a selected concentration.

Table A. Response rates for persons 4 years and over: third National Health and Nutrition

Examination Survey, 1988–94

Response category

1988–94 Phase 2, 1991–94

Sample

size

Response rate

(percent)

Sample

size

Response rate

(percent)

Sampled, 4 years and over,

nonpregnant ................. 33,027 100 16,279 100

Interviewed ................... 27,658 84 13,560 83

Examined (in MEC or home)1 ....... 25,314 77 12,578 77

Valid data:

Serum folate ................. 23,378 71 . . . . . .

RBC folate .................. 23,082 70 . . . . . .

Serum vitamin B12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... 11,851 73

. . . Category not applicable.

1MEC is mobile examination center.

2RBC is red blood cell.

Page 4 [ Series 11, No. 243
Tables II–X in appendix II give the

sample sizes corresponding to the

cumulative percents in tables 28–36.

Serum and RBC folate estimates are

presented in nanograms per milliliter

(ng/mL). To convert these estimates to

nanomols per liter (nmol/L), the

Systeme Internationale (SI) units,

multiply by 2.266. Serum vitamin B12

estimates are presented in picograms per

milliliter (pg/mL). To convert pg/mL to

the SI units, picomols per liter (pmol/L),

multiply by 0.7378. Prior to these

descriptive analyses, the effect of fasting

status on blood concentrations of these

vitamins was examined and determined

to have no significant effect. See the

section titled ‘‘Factors Affecting Folate

and Vitamin B12 Blood Concentrations’’

for a detailed description of these

analyses.

Serum Folate

The average serum folate

concentration for all persons 4 years and

older in the United States, excluding

pregnant females, is 7.2 ng/mL.

Non-Hispanic white people had higher

mean serum folate than non-Hispanic

black people (p < 0.01), 7.5 ng/mL

compared with 5.8 ng/mL for

non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic

black people, respectively. Non-Hispanic

white people also had higher mean

serum folate than Mexican Americans

(p <0.01), 7.5 ng/mL compared with 6.1

ng/mL for non-Hispanic white and

Mexican-American people, respectively.

As shown in figure 1, this difference

persisted after stratifying by sex

(p <0.01). The average serum folate for

all males was lower than for all females

(p <0.01), 6.8 ng/mL compared with 7.5

ng/mL for males and females,

respectively. As shown in figure 2,

differences between males and females

were also observed within adult age

groups. Mean serum folate for males

20–29 years old was 4.9 ng/mL

compared with 5.7 ng/mL among

females of the same age (p <0.01), mean

serum folate for males 30–39 years old

was 5.4 ng/mL compared with 6.2

ng/mL among their female counterparts

(p <0.01), mean serum folate for males

40–49 years old was 6.0 ng/mL

compared with 6.7 ng/mL among

females the same age (p =0.03), mean

serum folate for males 50–59 years old

was 6.8 ng/mL compared with 8.2

ng/mL among females of the same age

(p <0.01), mean serum folate for males

60–69 years old was 7.9 ng/mL

compared with 9.3 ng/mL among their

female counterparts (p <0.01), and mean

serum folate for males 70 years and

over was 9.0 ng/mL compared with 10.6

ng/mL among females of the same age

(p <0.01). Also, mean serum folate tends

to increase with age in adults for both

sexes.

When comparing across poverty

level, none of the slight differences is

statistically significant, although among

non-Hispanic white and

Mexican-American people those below

the poverty level tend to have lower

mean serum folate than those at or

above poverty level. Although there are

differences in serum folate

concentrations across education levels

for non-Hispanic white people, none of

these is statistically significant. The

differences for non-Hispanic black and

Mexican-American people are also not

significant and not as consistent as for

non-Hispanic white people.

The cumulative percent distributions

for serum folate should be interpreted

with caution because of methodologic

variability and lack of consensus on

which indicators and cutpoints are

appropriate for defining folate

deficiency. An expert panel was

convened by the Life Sciences Research

Office (LSRO) to examine the NHANES

II folate data. This panel defined low

serum folate as below 3 ng/mL (37).

Gibson notes that this is the most

commonly used cutpoint for defining

low serum folate (3). Because of the

PGA calibrator problems associated with

the Quanta Phase kits described in the

‘‘Laboratory Methods’’ section, it may

be appropriate to apply the adjustment

equation developed for the NHANES III

folate data to the 3 ng/mL cutpoint. This

Figure 1. Age-adjusted mean serum folate concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and race-ethnicity: United States,

1988–94

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 5
produces an adjusted cutpoint of 2

ng/mL. The proportion below 2 ng/mL

is between 2 percent for those who are

60–69 years old and those 70 years and

over and 6 percent for those 20–29 years

old and 30–39 years old. Because of the

risk of birth defects, there is concern

over inadequate folate status among

women of childbearing age. Among

females, serum folate concentrations

were below 2 ng/mL in 4 percent of

those 12–19 years old, 6 percent of

those 20–29 years old, 6 percent of

those 30–39 years old, and 4 percent of

those 40–49 years old. Many of the

studies of folate and neural tube defects

(NTD’s) measured blood folate

concentrations in women who had an

affected pregnancy (4, 38–41). Smithells

and coauthors measured serum and RBC

folate in a case-control study of NTD’s,

calculating a mean serum folate of 4.9

ng/mL among five cases and a mean

RBC folate of 141 ng/mL among six

cases (41). The mean RBC folate of

cases was significantly different from

that of controls. It is important to note

that serum and RBC folate were

measured by the L. casei microbiologic

method and this limits comparisons to

the NHANES III. Rush reviewed

clinical trials and observational studies

of folate and NTD’s (40). In the studies

he reviewed, serum folate concentrations

among cases ranged from 141–178

ng/mL. Because these were

measurements in women having

NTD-affected pregnancies, they may be

defined as inadequate concentrations,

although they are not below cutpoints

generally defined as deficient. The

methods used in these studies and that

by Smithells and coauthors may not be

comparable to the radioassay used in

NHANES III. However, looking at

blood concentrations slightly higher than

the 2 ng/mL cutpoint may give some

indication of inadequate concentrations.

In NHANES III, serum folate

concentrations among females were less

than 3 ng/mL for 19 percent of those

12–19 years old, 22 percent of those

20–29 years old, 19 percent of those

30–39 years old, and 19 percent of those

40–49 years old.

Red Blood Cell Folate

The mean RBC folate concentration

for all persons 4 years and older in the

United States, excluding pregnant

females, is 196 ng/mL. RBC folate

concentrations have patterns similar to

serum folate. That is, non-Hispanic

white people have higher mean RBC

folate than Mexican-American and

non-Hispanic black people, with an

age-adjusted mean of 204 ng/mL for

non-Hispanic white people, while the

mean concentration for Mexican

Americans is 180 ng/mL (p <0.01), and

150 ng/mL (p <0.01) for non-Hispanic

black people. As shown in figure 3, this

race-ethnic difference is still present

when looking at males and females

separately (p <0.01 in males and

females). Overall, females have higher

mean RBC folate concentrations than

males (211 ng/mL for females compared

with 201 ng/mL for males, p =0.05).

Within each sex, differences across age

groups were similar to those seen in

serum folate, as shown in figure 4.

Among males, mean RBC folate was

higher in children and older adults than

in young adults; males aged 20–29 years

have lower mean RBC folate than boys

4–5 years and 6–11 years, and males 70

years and older (p <0.01). Among

females, mean RBC folate was loweer

in adolescents 12–19 years and young

adults 20–29 years than in younger age

groups (4–5 year-olds and 6–11

year-olds) and older age groups (70

years and older) (p <0.01). As with

serum folate, none of the differences in

mean RBC folate across years of

education or poverty level are

statistically significant.

Gibson notes that a cutpoint of 160

ng/mL for RBC folate has been used to

define depleted folate stores, and 120

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aa

Figure 2. Mean serum folate concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and age: United States, 1988–94

Page 6 [ Series 11, No. 243
ng/mL to indicate the concentration at

which biochemical function is impaired

(3). When reviewing the NHANES II

data, the LSRO panel defined low RBC

folate concentrations as one below 140

ng/mL (24). Applying the adjustment

equation to this cutpoint, which falls at

the midpoint of the cutpoints suggested

by Gibson, produces an adjusted

cutpoint of about 95 ng/mL. From

tables 31–33, the proportion below 95

ng/mL decreases with age from 12–19

years (12 percent) to those 70 years and

older (4 percent). There is concern about

inadequate folate status among women

of childbearing age because of the risk

of birth defects. Because RBC folate is

a better marker of long-term folate

status, it is useful to look at the percent

of women of childbearing age with low

RBC folate concentrations. Among

females of reproductive age, 14 percent

of 12–19 year-olds, 13 percent of 20–29

year-olds, 8 percent of 30–39 year-olds,

and 10 percent of 40–49 year-olds have

RBC folate less than 95 ng/mL.

Serum Vitamin B12

The mean serum B12 concentration

for all persons 4 years and older in the

United States, excluding pregnant

females, is 518 pg/mL. Whereas the

distribution of serum and RBC folate

are slightly skewed (skewness = 6.18

for serum folate, and skewness = 2.55

for RBC folate), the distribution of

serum vitamin B12 concentrations is

highly skewed (skewness = 42.19). This

is especially true among Mexican

Americans because the very high values

are more influential in this subgroup due

to the smaller cell sizes. The median is

less affected by the outliers and thus is a

better measure of central tendency for

Mexican Americans. Therefore, for

serum B12, median values with

95 percent confidence limits are used to

compare groups. The race-ethnic

differences among serum B12

concentrations are the converse of those

seen for serum and RBC folate. NonHispanic white people have the lowest

concentrations, with a median of 446

pg/mL (95 percent limits, 436–456

pg/mL), while Mexican Americans have

a median of 499 pg/mL (95 percent

limits, 473–530 pg/mL) and

non-Hispanic black people have the

highest median concentration, 568

pg/mL (95 percent limits, 553–582

pg/mL). These differences persist after

Figure 3. Age-adjusted mean red blood cell folate concentrations for persons 4 years and

over, by sex and race-ethnicity: United States, 1988–94

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aa

Figure 4. Mean red blood cell folate concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and age: United States, 1988–94

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 7
stratifying by sex, as shown in figure 5.

Serum vitamin B12 concentrations are

higher for the youngest age group than

for the oldest age group in each sex as

shown in figure 6. Among males,

median serum B12 is 734 pg/mL

(95 percent limits, 684–781 pg/mL) for

4–5 year-olds compared with 387 pg/mL

(95 percent limits, 363–412 pg/mL) for

males 70 years and older. Among

females, median serum B12 is 784

pg/mL (95 percent limits, 691–840

pg/mL) in 4–5 year-olds compared with

436 pg/mL (95 percent limits, 413–458

pg/mL) in females 70 years and older.

Median serum vitamin B12 for women

of childbearing age ranges from 481

pg/mL for 12–19 year-olds to 426

pg/mL for 20–29 year-olds. As with the

folate biomarkers, no significant

differences were seen in serum B12

when stratifying by years of education

or by poverty level.

As with serum and RBC folate,

there are some limitations with using the

cumulative percent distributions of

serum B12 concentrations as an indicator

of vitamin B12 deficiency. The 1998

Institute of Medicine report on B

vitamins noted that the lower limit of

B12 concentration in serum varies with

the method used and the laboratory

conducting the analysis (42). In

addition, tissue concentrations of

vitamin B12 may become depleted

before serum concentrations (42) .

Therefore, persons with higher serum

B12 concentrations may still have

inadequate B12 status overall (42).

However, most persons with inadequate

B12 status have low serum B12

concentrations (43). As Gibson

summarizes, values between 150 and

200 pg/mL for serum B12 are considered

to be moderately low values for the

vitamin and do not necessarily indicate

vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12

depletion is indicated when serum B12

concentrations drop to between 150 and

100 pg/mL, although biochemical

function is normal (3). When serum B12

concentrations fall to a level below 100

to 80 pg/mL, Gibson indicates that this

is almost always suggestive of vitamin

B12 deficiency (3).

Less than 1 percent of the total

population 4 years and older have serum

vitamin B12 less than 100 pg/mL. Only

1 percent of older age groups (50–59

years, 60–69 years, and 70 years and

older) have serum B12 less than 100

pg/mL. The proportion of the population

Figure 5. Median serum vitamin B12 concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex

and race-ethnicity: United States, 1991–94

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa aaa

aaa aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aaa

aa

Figure 6. Median serum vitamin B12 concentrations for persons 4 years and over, by sex and age: United States, 1991–94

Page 8 [ Series 11, No. 243
with serum B12 below 200 pg/mL

increases with age from 2 percent

among 30–39 year-olds to 6 percent of

persons 70 years and older. Using a

cutpoint of 250 pg/mL, 8 percent of

40–49 year-olds, 9 percent of 50–59

year-olds, 12 percent of 60–69 year-olds,

and 13 percent of persons 70 years and

older have low serum B12.

To address the skewness in the

distribution, a log transformation was

applied. This made the distribution more

symmetric. Geometric means calculated

from log-transformed data are included

in appendix I along with 95 percent

confidence limits. These estimates can

be used to compare means within

subgroups. When comparing estimates

from other surveys or studies to these

estimates, it is important to remember to

compare geometric means to geometric

means.

When comparing the geometric

means for serum vitamin B12, the same

racial-ethnic differences are seen as with

the medians. The upper bound of the

95 percent confidence interval for

non-Hispanic white people does not

overlap the lower bound for

non-Hispanic black people for any

sex-age group. The geometric means for

Mexican Americans are lower than those

for non-Hispanic black people, but there

is some overlap in the confidence limits.

Factors Affecting Folate

and Vitamin B12 Blood

Concentrations

Previous studies have identified

behaviors or characteristics that affect

folate and vitamin B12 concentrations in

blood. A number of studies have

identified the use of vitamin

supplements as having a significant

effect on blood folate concentrations

(26, 44–46). The effect of smoking on

folate and vitamin B12 status has also

been examined with results indicating

that smokers may have lower blood

concentrations of folate and vitamin B12

(47–49). Researchers have also

investigated the effect of oral

contraceptives and hormone replacement

therapy on blood folate concentrations

(50–54). The findings from these studies

are inconsistent, but indicate that oral

contraceptive users may have lower

blood folate and B12 concentrations. The

one study that examined the effect of

hormone replacement use found no

effect on serum B12 concentrations (51)

Using information collected during the

MEC interview, the relationship of these

behaviors to folate and vitamin B12

concentrations in the blood was

examined in NHANES III. The results

of these analyses are summarized in

table B.

Fasting Status and Supplement

Use

As noted in the ‘‘Methods’’ section,

respondents were asked to fast either

10–16 hours or 6 hours, depending on

whether their mobile examination center

(MEC) appointment was in the morning

session or in the afternoon or evening

session. Prior to the phlebotomy,

respondents were asked when they last

ate or drank, and the number of hours

fasted was calculated. Respondents were

not asked to include taking a vitamin

supplement when answering this

question. Fasting status was categorized

as fasting 9 hours or more, or fasting

less than 9 hours (this included those

who reported having just eaten).

Respondents were asked separately

about use of vitamin or mineral

supplements in the past 24 hours.

Therefore, when analyzing fasting

status, use of supplements in the past 24

hours was controlled for by selecting

only those people who reported not

taking a supplement. Although those

who fasted 9 hours or more had lower

serum folate concentrations than those

who fasted less than 9 hours, the

differences were not statistically

significant. As expected, fasting status

had no effect on RBC folate because

RBC folate is an indicator of more

long-term status. No effect of fasting

was seen for serum vitamin B12.

Because blood concentrations of folate

and B12 may be affected shortly after

eating and the effect may vary from

Table B. Summary of analyses for confounders

Possible confounders Serum folate RBC folate Serum vitamin B12

Fasting ................... Lower levels for fasting than for

nonfasting, but not statistically

significant

No consistent trend and no statistically

significant differences

No consistent trend and no statistically

significant differences

Supplement use in past 24 hours . . . Recent supplement users had higher

concentrations than nonusers,

statistically significant for all groups

except 12–19 year-olds (both sexes)

Recent supplement users had higher

concentrations than nonusers,

statistically significant for all groups

except 12–19 year-old males

Recent supplement users had higher

concentrations than nonusers,

statistically significant for all groups

except 12–19 year-old females

Smoking .................. Lower concentrations among current

smokers than nonsmokers or former

smokers, but not statistically significant

or consistent

Lower concentrations among current

smokers than nonsmokers or former

smokers, but not statistically significant

or consistent

No consistent significant differences

among categories of smoking

OCA use/HRT ............... Higher concentrations among ‘‘never

users’’ than categories of users, but not

significant or consistent after stratifying

by age; associations of serum folate

with OCA use and HRT are

confounded by education level and

supplement use in the past month

Users of OCA’s and those on HRT

tend to have higher levels than

nonusers, but not statistically significant

differences; associations of RBC folate

with OCA use and HRT are

confounded by education level and

supplement use in the past month

No consistent significant differences

among categories of OCA or HRT use

NOTE: RBC is red blood cell, OCA is oral contraceptive agent, and HRT is hormone replacement therapy.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 9
person to person, a multiple linear

regression procedure in SUDAAN was

used to test for the effect of number of

hours fasted as a continuous variable

and the effect of time of venipuncture

on serum folate and serum vitamin B12

(33). Age, sex, and race-ethnicity

(categorized as ‘‘non-Hispanic black’’

and ‘‘all others’’) were controlled for in

the regression. Time of venipuncture or

blood draw was included to determine

whether there was any diurnal variation.

No significant effect was seen for

number of hours fasted or for time of

venipuncture.

In the analysis of supplement use in

the past 24 hours, only those who fasted

9 hours or more were included. Those

who reported using a vitamin or mineral

supplement in the past 24 hours had

higher concentrations for all three

analytes than those who did not. These

differences were statistically significant

for almost all sex and age subgroups.

Smoking Status

Studies by Piyathilake and others

have found significantly lower

concentrations of plasma and RBC

folate and serum vitamin B12 among

smokers than nonsmokers (47–49). To

examine the effect of smoking, those

who reported smoking at least 100

cigarettes in their life and who currently

smoke were defined as current smokers;

those who had smoked at least 100

cigarettes but who were not currently

smoking, were defined as former

smokers; and those who had not smoked

at least 100 cigarettes in their life were

defined as nonsmokers. Current smokers

had significantly lower concentrations of

serum and RBC folate than either

nonsmokers or former smokers. This

trend was seen for RBC folate in all

sex-age groups and for serum folate in

all sex-age groups except females 80

years and older. Differences in serum

B12 concentrations were neither

significant nor consistent among

categories of smoking.

Oral Contraceptives and

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Oral contraceptive agents (OCA’s),

known as birth control pills, and

medications used in hormone

replacement therapy (HRT) by

postmenopausal women contain animal

or synthetic estrogen or estrogen-like

compounds. These compounds may

lower folate and B12 concentrations in

the blood (50–54). In NHANES III,

questions on use of OCA’s and HRT

included length of time using the

product; how recent the use was; and

for OCA’s, the brand name of the

product. Definitions constructed by

Russell-Briefel and coauthors were used

for OCA and HRT variables (55). These

included ‘‘never used OCA’s and/or

HRT,’’ ‘‘ used OCA’s and/or HRT more

than 6 months ago,’’ and ‘‘used OCA’s

and/or HRT in the past 6 months.’’

Serum and RBC folate concentrations

were significantly higher among those

who never used OCA’s than either

category of OCA user. This difference

was not present after stratifying by age.

Differences in serum and RBC folate

concentrations among categories of HRT

were generally not significant or

consistent across age categories.

However, among women 60 years and

older, those who had never been on

HRT had significantly lower RBC folate

than either category of those on HRT.

No consistent or statistically significant

differences were seen when comparing

serum B12 concentrations among the

categories of OCA or HRT users.

Preliminary analyses indicate that there

is confounding of OCA and HRT

categories by age, supplement use, and

education. The NHANES III data will

allow for the estimation of intake of

folic acid from supplements. Further

analyses are underway using these more

detailed data and multivariate techniques

to further investigate the relationship of

OCA’s and HRT to folate status.

Other Factors

Other characteristics and behaviors

could affect blood concentrations of

folate or vitamin B12. These include

alcohol consumption; donating blood in

the past month; being treated for anemia

in the past 3 months; having colds, flu,

diarrhea, vomiting, pneumonia, or ear

infections in the past 4 weeks; and use

of prescription medications in the past

24 hours. However, the sample sizes in

these analyses were too small to allow

reliable estimates and comparisons.

Discussion

This report provides reference data

on serum and red blood count

(RBC) folate and serum vitamin

B12 concentrations for the U.S.

population. These data indicate

differences in status between subgroups

of the population. The results of these

analyses indicate that serum and RBC

folate concentrations were lower in

males than in females, and folate

concentrations were higher among all

non-Hispanic white people compared

with non-Hispanic black people and

Mexican Americans. Mean serum and

RBC folate tend to increase with age in

adults, in both males and females. These

analyses show that non-Hispanic white

people have lower serum vitamin B12

concentrations than do non-Hispanic

black people or Mexican Americans.

Median serum vitamin B12 is highest in

the youngest age groups and decreases

across older age groups. Recent use of

supplements has a significant effect on

blood concentrations of these vitamins.

Those who reported using a vitamin

and/or mineral supplement in the 24

hours prior to the blood draw had higher

blood concentrations of folate and B12

than those who did not.

Definitions for deficient, normal,

and abnormal ranges for serum and red

cell folate concentrations vary widely

(3,24,31,56). A CDC-sponsored round

robin interlaboratory study of methods

for measuring serum and red blood cell

folate concentrations found a substantial

discrepancy between various

measurement methods, with the greatest

variation occurring at low folate

concentrations (57). Greater variation

was seen for RBC folate than for serum

folate. Within-laboratory precision also

varied significantly within and across

methods. The authors recommend that to

evaluate a study or clinical data,

method-specific normal ranges should be

used and not ‘‘generally published’’

normal ranges. The normal range for the

U.S. population 4 years and older can

be defined as the 5th percentile to the

Page 10 [ Series 11, No. 243
95th percentile from the NHANES III

data. For serum folate the range is

2.1–17.1 ng/mL, for RBC folate the

range is 87–378 ng/mL, and for serum

vitamin B12 the range is 233–928

ng/mL. The results of Gunter and

coauthors’ (57) study draws into

question the validity of applying

cutpoints for deficiency defined using

one method to data collected using

another method. In addition, evaluation

of a single indicator may not be

appropriate for assessment of folate

status (37). Generally speaking, the use

of a single indicator for assessment of

status is not optimal for any nutrient.

While there are difficulties in

establishing a definition of deficiency

for folate and for vitamin B12,

comparisons of the distributions of

biomarker concentrations between

groups permit identification of

subgroups of the population for whom

concern for inadequate vitamin status is

greater. Young adults (20–29 years) have

a higher prevalence of low serum and

RBC folate than older adults. Prevalence

of low serum B12 concentrations

increases with age in adults.

These measurements are indicators

of the status of these vitamins, but a

more comprehensive assessment of

status includes other information as

well. Dietary intake data provides more

information, and preliminary analyses

have identified other behaviors that may

affect folate and vitamin B12 status.

Recent vitamin supplement use affects

blood concentrations, particularly serum

concentrations. Fasting status is

frequently queried when measuring

blood concentrations of folate and B12,

but its effect is not statistically

significant.

Some methodologic aspects of the

blood folate data limit the comparisons

that can be made. Laboratory methods

for serum and red cell folate

concentrations differed between

NHANES III and previous NHANES.

The expert panel that evaluated the

NHANES III folate methods concluded

that it would be inappropriate to apply

the correction equation developed from

the NHANES III data to the NHANES

II folate data to investigate trends over

time (31). In addition, comparing these

data to data from other studies would

require an evaluation of the methods

used. Caution should be used in making

any comparisons.

Recommendations for future

measurement of blood concentrations of

folate and B12 can be made from these

results. When measuring blood

concentrations of these analytes,

assessment of fasting status is not as

important as determining recent vitamin

supplement use, which is more

important in assessing serum folate and

serum vitamin B12. The effect of recent

supplement use on RBC folate may

simply be a proxy for long-term use of

supplements. Additionally, information

on cigarette smoking and use of oral

contraceptives and HRT medication

should be considered when interpreting

blood concentrations of folate and

vitamin B12.

Research in the last decade has

linked folate intake with reduced risk of

NTD’s and indicated an association of

folate, B12, and other B vitamins with

the risk for cardiovascular disease and

certain cancers. As research in these

areas continues, it will be important to

have current estimates for biomarkers

for these vitamins for the U.S.

population. It will also be important to

have these estimates for use in

evaluating the impact of the recently

enacted folate fortification of certain

foods on the target group of women of

childbearing age, as well as other

subgroups of the population.

References

1. Selhub J, Rosenberg IH. Folic Acid. In:

Ziegler EE, Filer LJ Jr, eds. Present

knowledge in nutrition. 7th ed.

Washington, D.C.: ILSI Press. 1996.

pp. 206–19.

2. Herbert V. Vitamin B-12. In: Ziegler

EE, Filer LJ Jr, eds. Present knowledge

in nutrition. 7th ed. Washington, D.C.:

ILSI Press. 1996. pp. 191–205.

3. Gibson RS. Principles of nutritional

assessment. New York: Oxford

University Press, 1990.

4. Czeizel AE, Dudas I. Prevention of the

first occurrence of neural-tube defects

by periconceptional vitamin

supplementation. N Engl J Med 1992;

327:1832–35.

5. MRC Vitamin Study Research Group.

Prevention of neural tube defects:

results of the medical Research Council

Vitamin Study. Lancet 1991;

338:131–37.

6. Centers for Disease Control.

Recommendations for the use of folic

acid to reduce the number of cases of

spina bifida and other neural tube

defects. MMWR. 41(No. RR-14):1–7.

1992.

7. Giles WH, Kittner SJ, Anda RF, Croft

JB, Casper ML. Serum folate and risk

for ischemic stroke: First National

Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study.

Stroke 1995; 26:1166–70.

8. Morrison HI, Schaubel D, Desmeules

M, Wigle DT. Serum folate and risk of

fatal coronary heart disease. JAMA

1996; 275(24): 1893–96.

9. Selhub J, Jacques PF, Wilson PWF,

Rush D, Rosenberg IH. Vitamin status

and intake as primary determinants of

homocysteinemia in an elderly

population. JAMA 1993; 270(22):

2693–98.

10. Ubbink JB, Vermaak WJH, vander

Merwe A, Becker PJ. Vitamin B-12,

vitamin B-6, and folate nutritional

status in men with

hyperhomocysteinemia. Am J Clin Nutr

1993; 57:47–53.

11. Butterworth CE, Hatch KD, Macaluso

M, Cole P, Sauberlich HE, Soong S-J,

et al. Folate deficiency and cervical

dysplasia. JAMA 1992; 267(4):528–33.

12. Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Ascherio A,

Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC.

Alcohol, low-methionine—low-folate

diets, and risk of colon cancer in men.

J Natl Cancer Inst 1995 Feb

15;87(4):265–73.

13. Heimburger DC. Localized deficiencies

of folic acid in aerodigestive tissues.

Ann N Y Acad Sci 1992 Sep

30;669:87–95.

14. Heimburger DC, Alexander CB, Birch

R, Butterworth CE, Bailey WC,

Krumdieck CL. Improvement in

bronchial squamous metaplasia in

smokers treated with folate and vitamin

B12: report of a preliminary

randomized, double-blind, intervention

trial. JAMA 1988; 259(10):1525–30.

15. Potter JD. Nutrition and colorectal

cancer. Cancer Causes Control 1996

Jan; 7(1):127–46.

16. Boushey CJ, Beresford SAA, Omenn

GS, Motulsky AG. A quantitative

assessment of plasma homocysteine as

a risk factor for vascular disease:

probable benefits of increasing folic

acid intakes. JAMA 1995;

274:1049–57.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 11
17. Riggs KM, Spiro III A, Tucker K, Rush

D. Relations of vitamin B-12, vitamin

B-6, folate and homocysteine to

cognitive performance in the Normative

Aging Study. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;

63:306–14.

18. Sauberlich HE. Relationship of vitamin

B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate to

neurological and neuropsychiatric

disorders. In: Bendich A, Butterworth

Jr CE, eds. Micronutrients in health and

disease prevention. New York: Marcel

Dekker, Inc. 1991:187–218.

19. National Center for Health Statistics.

Plan and initial program of the Health

Examination Survey. Vital Health Stat

1(4). 1965.

20. National Center for Health Statistics.

Plan, operation, and response results of

a program of children’s examinations.

Vital Health Stat 1(5). 1967.

21. National Center for Health Statistics.

Plan and operation of a health

examination survey of U.S. youths

12–17 years of age. Vital Health Stat

1(8). 1969.

22. Miller HW. Plan and operation of the

Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey, United States, 1971–73.

National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 1(10a) and (10b).

1973.

23. Engel A, Murphy RS, Maurer K,

Collins E. Plan and operation of the

NHANES I Augmentation Survey of

Adults 25–74 Years, United States,

1974–1975. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 1(14). 1978.

24. Senti FR, Pilch SM, eds. Assessment of

the folate nutritional status of the U.S.

population based on data collected in

the second National Health and

Nutrition Examination Survey,

1976–1980. Life Sciences Research

Office, Federation of American

Societies for Experimental Biology.

Bethesda, Maryland. 1984. Prepared for

the Center for Food Safety and Applied

Nutrition, Food and Drug

Administration.

25. National Center for Health Statistics.

Plan and Operation of the Hispanic

Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey, 1982–84. Vital and health

Statistics. Series 1, No. 19. DHHS Pub.

No. (PHS) 85–1321. Public Health

Service. Washington. U.S. Government

Printing Office. September, 1985.

26. Fanelli-Kuczmarski MT, Johnson CL,

Elias L, Najjar M. Folate status of

Mexican American, Cuban, and Puerto

Rican Women. Am J Clin Nutr 1990;

52:368–72.

27. U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS) and U.S. Department

of Agriculture (USDA). 1993. Ten-Year

Comprehensive Plan for the National

Nutrition Monitoring and Related

Research Program; notice. Federal

Register 58: 32752–806.

28. Food and Drug Administration. Food

standards: amendment of standards of

identity for enriched grain products to

require addition of folic acid. Federal

Register 1996; 61:8781–97.

29. U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services (DHHS). National Center for

Health Statistics. NHANES III

reference manuals and reports

(CD-ROM). Hyattsville, MD: Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention,

1996. Available from National

Technical Information Service (NTIS),

Springfield, VA. Acrobat .PDF format;

includes access software: Adobe

Systems, Inc. Acrobat Reader 2.1.

30. U.S. Bureau of the Census. Current

Population Reports, Series P-60, No.

154. Money income and poverty status

of persons in the United States: 1988.

U.S. Government Printing Office,

Washington, D.C.

31. Raiten DJ, Fisher KD, eds. Assessment

of folate methodology used in the Third

National Health and Nutrition

Examination Survey (NHANES III,

1988–1994). J Nutr 1995;

125:1371S–98S.

32. SAS Institute Inc. SAS Procedures

Guide, Version 6. 3rd ed. Cary, NC:

SAS Institute Inc. 1990.

33. Shah BV, Barnwell BG, Bieler GS.

SUDAAN User’s Manual, Release 7.0.

Research Triangle Park, NC: Research

Triangle Institute, 1996.

34. Forthover, R. unpublished

memorandum. 1981.

35. Kish L. Some issues of inference from

survey data, Chapter 14. In: Survey

sampling. New York: John Wiley and

Sons, Inc., 1965.

36. Neter J, Wasserman W, and Kutner

MH. Applied linear statistical models,

2nd ed. Homewood, Ill.: 1985.

37. Life Sciences Research Office.

Assessment of the folate nutritional

status of the U.S. population based on

data collected in the Second National

Health and Nutrition Survey,

1976–1980. Prepared for the Center for

Food Safety and Nutrition, Food and

Drug Administration. Rockville,

Maryland: Federation of American

Societies for Experimental Biology.

1984.

38. Daly LE, Kirke PN, Molloy A, Weir

DG, Scott JM. Folate levels and neural

tube defects: implications for

prevention. JAMA 1995;

274:1698–1702.

39. Mills JL, McPartlin JM, Kirke PN, Loe

YJ, Conley MR, Weir DG, Scott JM.

Homocysteine metabolism in

pregnancies complicated by neural-tube

defects. Lancet 1995; 345:149–51.

40. Rush D. Periconceptional folate and

neural tube defect. Am J Clin Nutr

1994; 59(suppl):511S–16S.

41. Smithells RW, Sheppard S, Schorah CJ.

Vitamin deficiencies and neural tube

defects. Arch Dis Childhood 1976;

51:944–50.

42. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of

Medicine. Dietary reference intakes for

thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6,

folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid,

biotin, and choline: A report of the

Standing Committee on the Scientific

Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes

and its Panel on Folate, Other B

Vitamins, and Choline and

Subcommittee on Upper Reference

Levels of Nutrients (prepublication

copy). Washington, D.C.: National

Academy Press. 1998.

43. Allen RH, Stabler SP, Savage DG,

Lindenbaum J. Diagnosis of cobalamin

deficiency I. Usefulness of serum

methylmalonic acid and total

homocysteine concentrations. Am J

Hematol 1990; 34:90–98.

44. Brown JE, Jacobs DR Jr, Hartman TJ,

Barosso GM, Stang JS, Gross MD,

Zeuske MA. Predictors of red cell

folate level in women attempting

pregnancy. JAMA 1997 Feb

19;277(7):548–52.

45. Truswell AS, Kounnavong S.

Quantitative responses of serum folate

to increasing intakes of folic acid in

healthy women. Eur J Clin Nutr 1997;

51:839–45.

46. Tucker KL, Selhub J, Wilson PW,

Rosenberg IH. Dietary intake pattern

relates to plasma folate and

homocysteine concentrations in the

Framingham Heart Study. J Nutr 1996

Dec; 126(12):3025–31.

47. Piyathilake CJ, Macaluso M, Hine RJ,

Richards EW, Krumdieck CL. Local

and systemic effects of cigarette

smoking on folate and vitamin B-12.

Am J Clin Nutr 1994; 60:559–66.

48. Piyathilake CJ, Hine RJ, Dasanayake

AP, Richards EW, Freeberg LE, Vaughn

WH, et al. Effect of smoking on folate

levels in buccal mucosal cells. Int J

Cancer 1992; 52(4):566–69.

Page 12 [ Series 11, No. 243
49. Ortega RM, Lopez-Sobaler AM,

Gonzalez-Gross MM, Redondo RM,

Marzana I, Zamora MJ, et al. Influence

of smoking on folate intake and blood

folate concentrations in a group of

elderly Spanish men. J Am Coll Nutr

1994; 13(1):68–72.

50. Green TJ, Houghton LA, Donovan U,

Gibson RS, O’Connor DL.

Oralcontraceptives did not affect

biochemical folate indexes and

homocysteine concentrations in

adolescent females. J Am Diet Assoc

1998 Jan; 98(1):49–55.

51. Carmel R, Howard JH, Green R,

Jacobsen DW, Azen C. Hormone

replacement therapy and cobalamin

status in elderly women. Am J Clin

Nutr 1996; 64:856–59.

52. Harper JM, Levine AJ, Rosenthal DL,

Wiesmeier E, Hunt IF, Swendseid ME,

Haile RW. Erythrocyte folate levels,

oral contraceptive use and abnormal

cervical cytology. Acta Cytol 1994

May; 38(3):324–30.

53. Steegers-Theunissen RP, Van Rossum

JM, Steegers EA, Thomas CM, Eskes

TK. Sub-50 oral contraceptives affect

folate kinetics. Gynecol Obstet Invest

1993; 36(4):230–33.

54. Wynn V. Vitamins and oral

contraceptive use. Lancet March 8,

1975; 561–64.

55. Russell-Briefel R, Ezzati TM, Fulwood

R, Perlamn JA, Murphy RS.

Cardiovascular risk status and oral

contraceptive use: United States,

1976–1980. Preventive Medicine 1986:

15:352–62.

56. Bailey LB, ed. Folate in health and

disease. New York: Dekker, 1995.

57. Gunter EW, Bowman BA, Caudill SP,

Twite DB, Adams MJ. Results of an

international round robin for serum and

red cell folate. Clinical Chemistry,

42(10), 1689–94, 1996.

Series 11, No. 243[ Page 13
Table 1. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the

mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 23,378 7.2 0.1 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.6 5.5 8.9 11.4 13.4 17.1

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 7.2 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 1,742 11.7 0.4 4.6 5.5 6.1 7.5 10.2 13.7 16.4 18.1 22.1

6-11 years ................................ 2,885 9.8 0.3 3.8 4.4 5.1 6.0 8.4 11.4 13.7 16.0 19.2

12-19 years .............................. 2,896 6.2 0.2 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.5 5.2 7.8 9.4 11.0 13.1

20-29 years .............................. 3,135 5.3 0.1 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.9 4.3 6.5 8.0 9.2 12.4

30-39 years .............................. 3,077 5.8 0.1 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.2 4.7 7.0 9.4 11.0 13.7

40-49 years .............................. 2,473 6.4 0.2 2.0 2.4 2.6 3.3 4.9 7.8 9.9 11.8 15.7

50-59 years .............................. 1,795 7.5 0.3 2.2 2.7 3.0 3.7 5.6 9.3 12.4 14.6 19.1

60-69 years .............................. 2,254 8.7 0.4 2.5 3.0 3.4 4.2 6.6 11.2 14.2 16.3 20.2

70 years and over .................... 3,121 10.0 0.3 2.7 3.3 3.8 4.9 7.5 12.7 16.6 19.5 24.8

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 8,717 7.5 0.2 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.7 5.8 9.4 12.0 14.2 18.0

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 7.5 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 445 12.5 0.6 4.9 5.8 6.6 8.0 10.7 14.2 16.8 19.3 25.7

6-11 years ................................ 761 10.3 0.4 3.9 4.6 5.3 6.2 8.8 12.1 14.6 17.0 22.1

12-19 years .............................. 751 6.4 0.2 2.3 2.7 2.9 3.6 5.5 8.2 9.7 11.6 14.3

20-29 years .............................. 818 5.5 0.2 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.9 4.4 6.8 8.3 10.0 12.8

30-39 years .............................. 990 6.1 0.2 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.3 4.9 7.7 10.0 11.4 14.2

40-49 years .............................. 885 6.7 0.3 2.0 2.4 2.7 3.3 5.2 8.4 10.6 12.4 16.8

50-59 years .............................. 876 7.8 0.3 2.2 2.7 3.0 3.7 5.8 9.7 13.0 15.0 19.4

60-69 years .............................. 980 9.0 0.4 2.5 3.0 3.4 4.4 6.9 11.5 14.6 16.6 20.2

70 years and over .................... 2,211 10.3 0.3 2.8 3.5 4.0 5.0 7.8 13.5 17.2 20.0 25.5

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 6,746 5.8 0.1 1.9 2.3 2.6 3.1 4.6 7.0 8.8 10.3 12.9

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 5.8 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 556 9.6 0.3 *4.1 4.8 5.3 6.2 8.3 11.4 13.6 15.4 *18.0 

6-11 years ................................ 952 8.6 0.4 3.5 3.9 4.4 5.3 7.5 10.0 11.6 13.4 15.7

12-19 years .............................. 1,011 5.2 0.2 2.0 2.3 2.5 3.2 4.2 6.2 7.5 8.3 10.3

20-29 years .............................. 980 4.5 0.1 1.7 2.1 2.3 2.7 3.8 5.4 6.8 7.9 9.2

30-39 years .............................. 1,031 4.8 0.1 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.9 5.5 6.9 8.3 11.4

40-49 years .............................. 755 5.0 0.2 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.8 4.0 5.7 7.3 8.6 11.6

50-59 years .............................. 462 5.7 0.3 *1.9 2.3 2.6 3.3 4.4 7.0 9.1 10.8 *13.7 

60-69 years .............................. 540 6.5 0.3 *2.1 2.5 2.9 3.4 4.9 7.4 9.7 11.8 *15.4 

70 years and over .................... 459 7.3 0.4 *2.2 2.7 3.0 3.7 5.9 9.0 11.4 12.8 *16.7 

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 6,919 6.2 0.2 2.1 2.5 2.8 3.4 5.0 7.6 9.5 10.9 13.7

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 6.1 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 649 10.6 0.6 4.4 5.5 6.1 7.1 9.5 12.7 14.4 16.6 19.2

6-11 years ................................ 1,045 9.4 0.4 3.8 4.4 5.1 6.0 8.0 10.8 12.9 14.9 19.1

12-19 years .............................. 985 5.6 0.2 2.0 2.5 2.8 3.4 4.8 6.9 8.5 9.7 11.9

20-29 years .............................. 1,200 4.9 0.2 1.8 2.3 2.6 3.0 4.1 5.7 7.1 8.4 10.7

30-39 years .............................. 925 5.2 0.2 1.8 2.3 2.5 3.1 4.4 6.3 8.1 9.3 11.4

40-49 years .............................. 723 5.0 0.2 2.0 2.3 2.6 3.1 4.2 6.1 7.3 8.6 11.1

50-59 years .............................. 363 5.8 0.3 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.2 4.9 7.6 8.7 10.2 11.8

60-69 years .............................. 657 6.4 0.3 2.3 2.8 3.1 3.7 5.1 7.5 9.7 11.0 14.9

70 years and over .................... 372 7.4 0.6 2.4 2.7 2.9 3.6 5.7 8.6 12.5 14.0 19.6

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 14 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 2. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the

mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 11,269 6.7 0.2 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.5 5.3 8.4 10.7 12.5 15.9

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 6.8 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 863 11.5 0.5 4.7 5.5 6.0 7.0 10.0 14.0 16.4 17.3 22.0

6-11 years ................................ 1,469 10.1 0.3 3.8 4.8 5.4 6.4 8.8 11.8 14.2 16.0 18.7

12-19 years .............................. 1,383 6.4 0.3 2.3 2.7 3.1 3.7 5.4 7.9 9.5 11.2 13.4

20-29 years .............................. 1,555 4.9 0.1 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.9 4.0 6.0 7.5 8.4 11.1

30-39 years .............................. 1,397 5.4 0.2 1.9 2.3 2.6 3.1 4.5 6.6 8.6 10.2 11.9

40-49 years .............................. 1,170 6.0 0.3 1.9 2.3 2.6 3.2 4.7 7.6 9.4 10.5 13.8

50-59 years .............................. 832 6.8 0.3 2.2 2.6 2.9 3.6 5.1 8.4 10.9 13.3 18.0

60-69 years .............................. 1,137 7.9 0.3 2.4 2.9 3.2 4.0 6.1 10.7 13.1 14.9 17.6

70 years and over .................... 1,463 9.0 0.3 2.3 3.1 3.6 4.5 7.0 11.0 15.3 17.9 21.7

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 4,118 6.9 0.2 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.6 5.5 8.7 11.1 13.0 16.4

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 7.0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 217 12.2 0.8 *4.9 5.7 6.2 7.5 10.3 14.2 16.8 18.6 *22.5 

6-11 years ................................ 391 10.5 0.4 4.0 5.1 5.7 6.6 9.2 12.4 14.8 16.6 20.1

12-19 years .............................. 341 6.5 0.3 2.3 2.7 3.2 3.8 5.6 8.1 9.7 12.0 15.0

20-29 years .............................. 380 5.0 0.2 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.9 4.0 6.3 7.9 9.0 11.8

30-39 years .............................. 439 5.5 0.2 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.2 4.7 6.9 8.9 10.7 11.9

40-49 years .............................. 422 6.3 0.3 2.0 2.3 2.6 3.3 5.0 7.8 9.8 11.0 15.5

50-59 years .............................. 411 6.8 0.3 2.2 2.6 2.9 3.6 5.1 8.6 11.5 13.3 18.0

60-69 years .............................. 499 8.2 0.4 2.4 2.9 3.2 4.2 6.3 11.2 13.7 15.5 17.8

70 years and over .................... 1,018 9.3 0.3 2.6 3.3 3.8 4.7 7.2 11.4 15.7 18.4 21.9

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 3,185 5.6 0.1 1.9 2.3 2.6 3.1 4.5 6.9 8.6 10.0 12.3

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 5.5 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 281 9.5 0.5 4.3 4.9 5.4 6.2 7.9 10.9 13.7 15.5 18.0

6-11 years ................................ 487 8.3 0.2 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.4 7.7 10.1 11.6 13.1 15.7

12-19 years .............................. 481 5.3 0.2 2.0 2.5 2.9 3.4 4.5 6.7 7.9 9.2 10.7

20-29 years .............................. 461 4.4 0.1 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.8 3.7 5.3 6.6 7.6 8.4

30-39 years .............................. 454 4.7 0.2 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.8 3.8 5.4 6.8 8.1 11.1

40-49 years .............................. 333 4.7 0.2 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.7 4.0 5.7 6.9 7.7 10.3

50-59 years .............................. 205 5.4 0.3 *1.9 2.2 2.6 3.2 4.2 6.4 7.9 10.2 *11.8 

60-69 years .............................. 268 5.9 0.4 2.1 2.3 2.6 3.1 4.4 7.1 9.2 10.8 13.9

70 years and over .................... 215 6.3 0.3 *2.1 2.4 2.7 3.4 5.0 8.3 9.8 11.2 *14.4 

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 3,511 6.1 0.3 2.0 2.5 2.8 3.4 4.9 7.5 9.1 10.6 13.5

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 6.0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 319 11.0 1.0 *4.6 5.5 6.0 7.1 9.6 13.2 15.5 16.9 *19.2 

6-11 years ................................ 518 10.0 0.6 3.8 4.7 5.3 6.2 8.1 11.1 13.3 15.1 20.0

12-19 years .............................. 497 5.5 0.2 2.0 2.5 2.7 3.4 4.7 7.0 8.7 9.7 11.5

20-29 years .............................. 644 4.6 0.2 1.9 2.3 2.6 3.0 4.0 5.5 6.6 7.5 9.0

30-39 years .............................. 449 5.3 0.3 *1.8 2.3 2.6 3.1 4.5 6.4 8.3 9.2 *10.9 

40-49 years .............................. 370 4.9 0.2 *2.0 2.3 2.6 3.1 4.1 6.0 7.2 8.5 *11.0 

50-59 years .............................. 177 5.5 0.4 *2.1 *2.6 2.9 3.1 4.6 7.1 8.4 *9.9 *11.2 

60-69 years .............................. 337 6.2 0.4 *2.3 2.7 3.0 3.7 5.0 7.5 9.6 10.4 *13.6 

70 years and over .................... 200 6.5 0.6 *2.2 *2.7 2.9 3.1 5.0 7.8 9.2 *12.3 *14.0 

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 15
Table 3. Serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the

mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 12,109 7.6 0.2 2.1 2.6 3.0 3.8 5.8 9.3 12.1 14.3 18.6

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 7.5 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 879 11.8 0.5 4.5 5.4 6.4 7.8 10.5 13.6 16.2 18.7 22.4

6-11 years ................................ 1,416 9.6 0.3 3.8 4.2 4.8 5.7 7.9 11.3 13.5 16.0 19.2

12-19 years .............................. 1,513 6.0 0.2 2.1 2.5 2.8 3.4 5.1 7.7 9.2 10.7 12.7

20-29 years .............................. 1,580 5.7 0.2 1.8 2.2 2.5 3.1 4.6 7.0 8.7 10.1 13.1

30-39 years .............................. 1,680 6.2 0.2 1.8 2.3 2.7 3.2 4.9 8.1 10.1 11.4 14.9

40-49 years .............................. 1,303 6.7 0.3 2.0 2.5 2.7 3.4 5.0 8.2 10.7 12.7 16.8

50-59 years .............................. 963 8.2 0.4 2.3 2.7 3.1 3.8 6.1 10.9 13.5 15.6 21.8

60-69 years .............................. 1,117 9.3 0.5 2.5 3.1 3.5 4.4 6.9 11.6 15.1 17.4 21.7

70 years and over .................... 1,658 10.6 0.4 2.9 3.5 4.0 5.1 7.9 13.8 17.5 20.5 26.2

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 4,599 8.0 0.2 2.1 2.6 3.1 3.8 6.1 10.1 12.9 15.3 20.1

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 7.9 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 228 12.8 0.8 *5.0 6.0 6.8 8.3 10.9 14.2 17.4 20.1 *27.8 

6-11 years ................................ 370 10.0 0.5 3.8 4.2 4.8 5.8 8.3 11.4 13.7 17.2 25.8

12-19 years .............................. 410 6.3 0.3 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.4 5.3 8.2 9.8 11.3 13.1

20-29 years .............................. 438 5.9 0.3 1.8 2.2 2.5 3.1 4.7 7.2 9.0 10.8 13.3

30-39 years .............................. 551 6.7 0.3 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.4 5.2 8.9 11.0 12.7 16.2

40-49 years .............................. 463 7.2 0.4 2.1 2.5 2.7 3.4 5.3 8.6 11.6 13.5 18.1

50-59 years .............................. 465 8.6 0.5 2.3 2.7 3.1 4.0 6.4 11.4 14.4 16.3 22.6

60-69 years .............................. 481 9.6 0.6 2.6 3.1 3.6 4.7 7.2 12.1 15.5 17.7 21.5

70 years and over .................... 1,193 11.0 0.3 3.0 3.6 4.1 5.1 8.3 14.5 18.1 21.1 26.8

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 3,561 5.9 0.2 1.9 2.3 2.5 3.1 4.6 7.1 9.0 10.8 13.6

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 6.0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 275 9.6 0.4 3.6 4.8 5.3 6.2 8.5 11.8 13.5 15.4 17.9

6-11 years ................................ 465 8.8 0.6 3.4 3.9 4.3 5.3 7.2 9.8 11.7 13.4 16.3

12-19 years .............................. 530 5.1 0.3 2.0 2.2 2.5 2.9 4.2 5.7 7.1 7.9 9.9

20-29 years .............................. 519 4.6 0.2 1.6 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.9 5.6 6.9 8.4 9.8

30-39 years .............................. 577 4.8 0.2 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.7 4.0 5.7 7.1 8.5 11.6

40-49 years .............................. 422 5.3 0.3 1.8 2.3 2.5 2.9 4.0 5.9 8.0 9.2 12.0

50-59 years .............................. 257 6.0 0.4 1.9 2.3 2.6 3.4 4.6 7.3 9.7 12.0 14.9

60-69 years .............................. 272 6.9 0.4 2.3 2.8 3.1 3.6 4.9 7.8 9.9 12.5 16.5

70 years and over .................... 244 7.9 0.5 2.5 2.9 3.1 3.9 6.4 10.1 12.2 14.2 17.3

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 3,408 6.2 0.3 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.5 5.1 7.8 10.0 11.3 13.9

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 6.2 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 330 10.2 0.4 4.4 5.4 6.2 7.2 9.4 12.2 13.5 16.5 18.9

6-11 years ................................ 527 8.8 0.3 3.6 4.2 4.8 5.8 7.8 10.4 12.3 14.7 18.5

12-19 years .............................. 488 5.7 0.3 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.6 4.9 6.8 8.3 9.9 12.3

20-29 years .............................. 556 5.3 0.2 1.8 2.3 2.6 3.0 4.3 6.1 8.2 10.3 12.2

30-39 years .............................. 476 5.1 0.2 1.9 2.3 2.5 3.1 4.2 6.2 8.0 9.5 11.6

40-49 years .............................. 353 5.1 0.2 2.0 2.4 2.5 3.1 4.4 6.1 7.4 9.0 11.3

50-59 years .............................. 186 6.1 0.3 *2.3 2.6 2.9 3.4 5.1 8.1 10.1 10.8 *12.3 

60-69 years .............................. 320 6.6 0.4 2.6 2.9 3.2 3.6 5.3 7.5 10.0 12.4 16.5

70 years and over .................... 172 8.4 0.7 *2.5 2.7 3.1 3.9 6.2 10.8 14.0 15.7 *24.7 

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 16 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 4. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of

the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 23,082 196 2.2 87 101 113 129 174 237 281 317 378

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 195 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 1,780 226 4.3 125 140 153 171 214 259 295 320 359

6-11 years ................................ 2,880 207 2.8 111 125 139 156 195 249 278 300 335

12-19 years .............................. 2,895 165 2.8 83 91 101 116 151 197 232 257 296

20-29 years .............................. 3,132 165 2.6 80 92 103 118 149 196 232 258 306

30-39 years .............................. 3,072 180 2.9 86 100 110 123 163 217 255 282 332

40-49 years .............................. 2,466 194 4.2 82 95 108 127 173 235 282 325 392

50-59 years .............................. 1,788 218 5.6 93 107 120 138 185 273 326 367 436

60-69 years .............................. 2,221 235 5.8 96 113 128 149 205 286 345 386 461

70 years and over .................... 2,848 253 5.5 96 116 132 157 221 314 382 426 498

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 8,497 206 2.5 91 107 118 135 183 251 299 334 393

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 204 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 451 240 6.0 134 150 160 179 227 278 305 339 375

6-11 years ................................ 761 218 3.8 116 134 147 165 208 260 288 308 351

12-19 years .............................. 761 173 3.8 84 95 107 122 156 208 238 269 319

20-29 years .............................. 823 172 3.6 84 95 108 122 156 207 240 274 314

30-39 years .............................. 990 187 3.6 94 106 113 127 173 229 266 295 335

40-49 years .............................. 880 203 5.0 85 98 114 134 181 245 293 339 403

50-59 years .............................. 875 227 5.7 95 111 125 144 196 291 344 385 447

60-69 years .............................. 964 245 6.3 101 119 130 155 216 297 352 399 483

70 years and over .................... 1,992 261 4.6 104 122 136 164 231 325 389 432 505

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 6,763 148 1.3 68 81 90 104 136 178 207 229 267

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 150 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 566 180 4.1 102 113 123 138 173 210 229 247 275

6-11 years ................................ 965 164 2.1 88 101 110 125 158 195 212 231 262

12-19 years .............................. 1,014 129 2.0 62 75 84 96 121 151 172 188 223

20-29 years .............................. 981 129 2.0 64 75 83 94 121 153 180 196 227

30-39 years .............................. 1,039 143 2.6 66 80 89 101 129 170 199 220 257

40-49 years .............................. 759 145 2.8 64 77 86 101 132 177 204 230 258

50-59 years .............................. 459 164 4.9 *75 87 93 111 141 201 232 271 *316 

60-69 years .............................. 540 172 4.7 73 87 97 119 152 203 241 271 331

70 years and over .................... 440 184 5.4 *68 90 101 121 162 227 272 308 *366 

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 6,827 178 3.3 88 101 111 127 163 213 246 274 321

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 180 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 666 225 4.8 137 151 161 177 214 262 291 309 343

6-11 years ................................ 1,028 206 3.7 116 130 141 162 196 242 273 292 322

12-19 years .............................. 970 163 3.9 84 93 103 116 151 191 222 251 303

20-29 years .............................. 1,190 161 3.6 84 95 102 121 147 186 215 238 287

30-39 years .............................. 913 172 4.2 88 99 107 123 155 206 238 261 322

40-49 years .............................. 716 175 5.1 83 101 109 123 160 211 240 269 310

50-59 years .............................. 359 188 7.8 95 110 114 129 166 230 262 292 341

60-69 years .............................. 641 194 6.6 90 105 115 134 167 229 286 330 380

70 years and over .................... 344 205 12.5 84 93 109 128 173 235 306 345 451

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 17
Table 5. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of

the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 11,145 192 2.9 89 103 114 131 172 233 272 307 360

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 193 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 872 231 4.8 127 143 158 178 219 263 296 321 368

6-11 years ................................ 1,470 219 3.5 115 135 147 167 208 262 293 308 360

12-19 years .............................. 1,383 172 3.5 85 95 106 122 156 207 240 274 328

20-29 years .............................. 1,554 163 2.9 84 95 106 119 149 191 221 244 299

30-39 years .............................. 1,394 175 3.4 89 104 112 125 161 209 245 266 312

40-49 years .............................. 1,164 186 4.5 79 99 110 128 171 222 265 292 373

50-59 years .............................. 826 210 6.5 92 105 116 135 179 256 317 354 415

60-69 years .............................. 1,130 222 5.7 96 111 124 147 197 275 321 353 427

70 years and over .................... 1,352 243 6.6 95 114 127 151 210 306 360 417 471

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 4,027 201 3.3 94 109 119 135 181 243 286 321 378

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 201 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 219 243 7.4 *131 153 163 184 230 282 303 337 *375

6-11 years ................................ 392 231 5.0 122 143 158 177 220 272 302 321 378

12-19 years .............................. 348 182 5.4 91 101 111 126 163 221 257 287 340

20-29 years .............................. 383 171 4.4 85 103 112 123 158 200 234 265 308

30-39 years .............................. 438 181 4.5 97 109 114 129 171 213 253 268 317

40-49 years .............................. 419 194 5.5 84 101 116 134 177 233 277 312 386

50-59 years .............................. 408 217 6.9 94 106 119 137 184 270 334 361 425

60-69 years .............................. 495 229 6.3 101 116 129 153 205 286 336 366 448

70 years and over .................... 925 250 5.9 106 120 132 155 223 308 369 426 473

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 3,205 149 1.8 73 85 93 107 137 177 205 227 261

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 150 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 285 186 3.7 110 123 133 150 179 218 238 250 277

6-11 years ................................ 494 172 2.7 99 109 121 135 166 204 216 238 274

12-19 years .............................. 481 135 2.7 70 84 90 100 124 156 177 200 246

20-29 years .............................. 460 131 2.4 71 80 85 98 125 156 179 197 213

30-39 years .............................. 459 144 3.5 73 86 93 106 131 166 199 219 249

40-49 years .............................. 335 136 3.3 66 78 86 101 126 166 186 202 234

50-59 years .............................. 204 160 6.3 *75 88 97 111 140 187 229 255 *292

60-69 years .............................. 273 172 6.7 69 82 94 110 147 203 260 291 344

70 years and over .................... 214 174 6.1 71 86 99 117 159 224 258 283 326

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 3,458 177 4.6 88 101 111 127 161 212 244 272 317

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 179 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 322 231 6.5 *139 157 166 183 221 269 297 315 *354

6-11 years ................................ 512 219 5.4 123 139 151 170 206 260 295 314 359

12-19 years .............................. 489 162 5.3 84 90 103 114 151 189 220 249 297

20-29 years .............................. 640 154 4.0 86 97 103 121 145 179 204 221 258

30-39 years .............................. 443 169 5.5 *88 101 109 124 153 203 231 246 *313

40-49 years .............................. 364 175 6.8 *83 99 108 121 158 212 247 282 *303

50-59 years .............................. 174 192 11.4 *93 *110 113 129 171 234 265 *298 *341

60-69 years .............................. 329 195 9.3 *87 99 114 133 164 224 288 357 *380

70 years and over .................... 185 193 12.5 *84 *92 103 124 170 223 282 *340 *367

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

Page 18 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 6. Red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error

of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 11,937 200 3.3 86 99 111 129 176 242 290 332 392

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 197 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 908 222 5.8 123 135 149 166 209 258 292 318 356

6-11 years ................................ 1,410 195 3.4 107 118 130 149 185 230 258 281 327

12-19 years .............................. 1,512 157 3.3 79 88 97 114 143 190 221 238 273

20-29 years .............................. 1,578 167 3.6 77 88 98 116 149 205 240 269 310

30-39 years .............................. 1,678 184 3.9 82 97 106 121 168 229 273 306 341

40-49 years .............................. 1,302 202 5.8 84 94 106 127 177 249 300 348 412

50-59 years .............................. 962 226 7.4 93 108 123 145 192 290 336 388 450

60-69 years .............................. 1,091 246 8.5 97 115 129 150 213 295 366 405 496

70 years and over .................... 1,496 259 7.1 97 119 135 161 227 325 391 429 511

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 4,470 211 3.8 89 105 116 136 186 258 310 350 412

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 205 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 232 237 8.3 *135 149 158 172 225 275 305 345 *373

6-11 years ................................ 369 204 4.7 113 128 137 155 193 242 267 290 344

12-19 years .............................. 413 163 4.3 84 90 99 116 148 200 231 246 275

20-29 years .............................. 440 173 5.0 79 90 103 121 152 214 253 281 320

30-39 years .............................. 552 192 4.9 90 105 111 125 175 240 284 317 346

40-49 years .............................. 461 213 7.2 89 97 112 134 188 264 317 362 416

50-59 years .............................. 467 237 7.7 95 117 130 151 207 300 356 411 457

60-69 years .............................. 469 258 9.6 100 121 132 160 229 313 381 427 565

70 years and over .................... 1,067 268 6.1 102 124 139 169 234 338 401 437 534

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 3,558 148 1.9 66 78 87 101 134 179 208 231 273

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 149 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 281 173 6.7 97 108 118 129 160 198 222 235 270

6-11 years ................................ 471 156 2.7 81 93 103 119 151 186 208 219 253

12-19 years .............................. 533 123 2.5 59 69 79 90 118 145 164 179 206

20-29 years .............................. 521 128 2.7 61 72 81 93 119 152 180 195 238

30-39 years .............................. 580 142 3.2 61 74 83 97 127 174 199 225 278

40-49 years .............................. 424 152 3.9 64 77 86 103 139 186 219 245 270

50-59 years .............................. 255 167 6.4 72 86 92 108 144 208 240 282 350

60-69 years .............................. 267 172 5.7 77 88 101 126 158 203 230 261 319

70 years and over .................... 226 191 7.7 68 90 104 125 166 227 279 322 444

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 3,369 179 4.9 90 101 111 127 164 215 249 275 325

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 181 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 344 218 5.7 *132 145 158 173 206 252 287 303 *340

6-11 years ................................ 516 192 3.8 110 125 130 151 185 224 252 271 292

12-19 years .............................. 481 164 4.7 84 95 103 117 149 192 227 256 312

20-29 years .............................. 550 170 5.2 82 95 101 121 151 200 237 264 334

30-39 years .............................. 470 175 5.3 88 97 105 122 157 216 247 271 332

40-49 years .............................. 352 175 6.1 *86 103 111 125 163 206 235 259 *310

50-59 years .............................. 185 185 8.8 *97 *110 118 128 164 219 258 *292 *327

60-69 years .............................. 312 194 7.7 *90 106 116 134 170 233 286 321 *360

70 years and over .................... 159 217 18.3 *80 *97 116 129 175 249 321 *352 *467

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 19
Table 7. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of

the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age : United States, 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 11,851 518 7.3 233 275 304 352 467 617 710 791 928

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 521 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 877 783 12.6 398 456 517 575 746 929 1,043 1,154 1,342

6-11 years ................................ 1,327 708 12.0 380 441 486 529 647 816 928 1,016 1,153

12-19 years .............................. 1,562 528 7.2 289 326 344 388 484 620 720 790 880

20-29 years .............................. 1,623 472 27.0 222 254 284 335 447 559 647 695 782

30-39 years .............................. 1,650 498 37.7 247 283 305 346 441 586 652 699 827

40-49 years .............................. 1,267 474 21.7 220 266 290 332 429 553 635 711 815

50-59 years .............................. 879 487 11.8 224 260 285 347 445 589 662 730 893

60-69 years .............................. 1,131 476 22.7 215 242 274 318 423 564 658 752 900

70 years and over .................... 1,535 501 36.5 187 227 256 308 412 571 694 772 951

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 4,070 487 5.3 232 270 297 343 446 582 663 733 862

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 494 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 214 742 22.7 *391 431 458 540 715 898 989 1,114 *1,338 

6-11 years ................................ 305 680 24.9 379 412 458 513 621 759 875 969 1,103

12-19 years .............................. 326 511 12.9 277 316 340 381 473 589 689 764 862

20-29 years .............................. 405 443 8.9 224 254 278 324 434 528 605 658 716

30-39 years .............................. 467 461 9.7 247 281 303 342 421 562 633 665 769

40-49 years .............................. 418 444 10.6 222 262 287 323 417 528 600 650 764

50-59 years .............................. 403 471 11.6 236 267 286 345 429 569 646 697 827

60-69 years .............................. 476 450 11.9 215 241 266 307 405 539 627 676 819

70 years and over .................... 1,056 477 29.7 187 220 254 304 405 556 675 735 902

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 3,865 615 5.6 283 331 365 425 568 750 849 934 1,101

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 607 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 300 881 19.9 439 542 582 662 828 1,040 1,191 1,335 1,479

6-11 years ................................ 575 809 12.5 446 501 542 610 768 938 1,058 1,171 1,402

12-19 years .............................. 653 618 11.8 307 360 392 443 574 734 827 891 1,019

20-29 years .............................. 540 555 10.2 288 320 351 395 525 669 770 814 925

30-39 years .............................. 627 547 9.3 267 305 341 393 516 672 752 817 932

40-49 years .............................. 434 582 16.6 266 323 364 418 523 678 775 846 1,004

50-59 years .............................. 241 569 15.8 *258 310 338 403 539 698 787 849 *940 

60-69 years .............................. 272 606 18.5 275 310 346 402 572 735 878 949 1,150

70 years and over .................... 223 559 20.8 *236 277 306 371 493 683 808 933 *1,144 

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 3,313 679 60.8 257 300 333 378 499 678 785 881 1,074

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 701 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 308 797 19.1 457 508 550 608 772 932 1,051 1,130 1,299

6-11 years ................................ 376 760 15.0 443 476 540 608 744 893 1,002 1,079 1,161

12-19 years .............................. 491 531 14.9 276 314 340 378 488 635 726 784 904

20-29 years .............................. 595 558 142.3 240 274 300 336 441 570 653 724 840

30-39 years .............................. 475 836 278.7 253 308 329 369 478 588 700 778 947

40-49 years .............................. 364 665 162.4 260 299 333 374 453 598 685 765 989

50-59 years .............................. 173 612 79.8 256 288 328 358 457 610 712 850 1,245

60-69 years .............................. 328 *655 *207.5 221 261 291 326 449 585 745 843 1,020

70 years and over .................... 203 1,239 524.3 158 197 242 294 428 646 895 1,231 4,206

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Because of small sample sizes along with influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median or geometric mean be used as a measure of central tendency.

See appendix I for geometric means and investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations. Pregnant women are excluded. 

Page 20 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 8. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the

mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age : United States, 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 5,431 506 4.6 237 280 310 356 465 600 692 772 917

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 508 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 441 766 20.9 392 431 459 570 734 904 1,043 1,148 1,336

6-11 years ................................ 687 720 16.0 415 468 504 554 670 840 930 1,013 1,123

12-19 years .............................. 734 520 11.1 289 335 350 396 485 603 680 765 866

20-29 years .............................. 747 470 9.8 251 276 307 353 460 549 638 682 765

30-39 years .............................. 686 486 11.5 247 294 316 350 450 574 647 697 849

40-49 years .............................. 557 456 13.3 233 277 297 330 429 533 599 650 791

50-59 years .............................. 354 474 20.5 186 259 281 334 428 564 644 708 884

60-69 years .............................. 573 445 49.6 201 241 258 291 391 523 623 667 853

70 years and over .................... 652 451 21.3 189 218 242 301 387 506 628 722 936

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 1,746 480 5.2 239 276 305 349 447 566 647 711 849

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 488 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 100 721 33.8 *370 *398 432 521 707 857 978 *1,090 *1,255 

6-11 years ................................ 159 699 26.8 *415 458 491 526 634 795 905 970 *1,103 

12-19 years .............................. 145 507 16.2 *283 340 351 398 475 576 655 710 *861 

20-29 years .............................. 176 457 12.3 *253 280 310 351 452 527 587 655 *748 

30-39 years .............................. 170 462 15.6 *247 294 312 349 431 549 609 648 *720 

40-49 years .............................. 179 439 13.2 *233 277 296 325 420 522 576 607 *751 

50-59 years .............................. 152 452 16.3 *236 273 282 334 420 541 632 660 *720 

60-69 years .............................. 245 411 13.3 190 242 249 287 373 493 587 627 687

70 years and over .................... 420 428 18.2 187 218 236 292 376 485 577 688 821

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 1,754 613 8.4 288 331 364 421 570 746 840 928 1,067

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 599 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 157 854 26.5 *436 524 558 661 813 1,026 1,150 1,311 *1,450 

6-11 years ................................ 288 800 16.3 398 507 546 633 769 931 1,029 1,104 1,256

12-19 years .............................. 307 597 18.4 298 345 376 433 553 698 780 855 970

20-29 years .............................. 227 566 16.2 267 322 357 411 532 682 778 833 981

30-39 years .............................. 258 565 13.7 291 322 356 403 548 693 758 835 913

40-49 years .............................. 169 572 29.2 *238 296 331 400 496 690 780 851 *1,017 

50-59 years .............................. 102 548 22.7 *272 310 325 386 511 672 765 825 *966 

60-69 years .............................. 137 567 23.8 *269 301 323 371 511 687 833 918 *1,050 

70 years and over .................... 109 539 28.3 *262 298 338 385 457 618 709 842 *1,113 

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 1,677 567 28.1 259 298 328 375 483 663 774 854 999

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 583 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 158 766 21.7 *446 492 553 628 736 904 999 1,049 *1,126 

6-11 years ................................ 199 782 19.4 *443 507 560 632 763 896 1,033 1,086 *1,161 

12-19 years .............................. 244 509 15.7 *267 297 329 367 478 621 715 787 *901 

20-29 years .............................. 306 479 18.6 258 290 309 338 439 570 644 710 774

30-39 years .............................. 228 501 21.4 *265 309 331 376 461 561 649 745 *813 

40-49 years .............................. 190 505 36.8 *238 270 299 351 431 549 652 682 *855 

50-59 years .............................. 81 637 101.4 *256 *297 *358 403 466 570 *711 *850 *1,921 

60-69 years .............................. 168 *726 *419.1 *236 258 280 320 413 563 718 944 *1,105 

70 years and over .................... 103 682 137.2 *143 *175 242 281 410 590 686 *876 *4,200 

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Because of small sample sizes along with influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median or geometric mean be used as a measure of central tendency.

See appendix I for geometric means and investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 21
Table 9. Serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for females 4 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of

the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age : United States, 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and age

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95th

 All racial-ethnic groups1

4 years and over ......................... 6,420 530 13.2 225 270 300 349 469 631 726 799 932

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 532 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 436 802 16.6 444 496 531 593 784 955 1,068 1,154 1,348

6-11 years ................................ 640 695 18.7 366 406 452 517 641 790 898 1,024 1,169

12-19 years .............................. 828 537 10.1 284 307 340 385 481 646 743 801 950

20-29 years .............................. 876 474 49.7 208 244 266 319 426 578 667 709 804

30-39 years .............................. 964 510 66.4 247 273 301 333 431 591 658 714 815

40-49 years .............................. 710 492 37.3 207 253 284 334 428 591 676 759 840

50-59 years .............................. 525 500 15.0 225 260 290 350 462 607 689 760 918

60-69 years .............................. 558 503 16.3 219 248 291 333 460 598 704 786 933

70 years and over .................... 883 535 57.6 187 241 265 316 436 621 717 795 953

 Non-Hispanic white

4 years and over ......................... 2,324 493 8.8 224 261 291 336 443 601 677 752 872

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 499 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 114 766 27.9 *411 473 501 557 738 908 1,023 1,114 *1,339 

6-11 years ................................ 146 661 40.7 *352 383 412 488 600 703 852 914 *1,094 

12-19 years .............................. 181 514 18.9 *276 300 321 370 460 628 712 781 *907 

20-29 years .............................. 229 427 12.1 205 237 251 305 412 528 616 667 694

30-39 years .............................. 297 461 11.7 247 273 299 321 411 586 644 702 793

40-49 years .............................. 239 450 15.4 207 248 270 321 403 541 624 708 806

50-59 years .............................. 251 488 15.5 239 260 292 350 453 596 655 748 918

60-69 years .............................. 231 484 18.3 218 234 287 327 433 575 658 753 875

70 years and over .................... 636 509 45.9 187 236 261 313 431 610 710 768 913

 Non-Hispanic black

4 years and over ......................... 2,111 617 7.5 280 332 365 427 568 753 856 950 1,123

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 614 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 143 913 28.6 *461 556 589 675 878 1,067 1,211 1,396 *1,552 

6-11 years ................................ 287 819 18.2 456 498 541 604 764 975 1,118 1,246 1,446

12-19 years .............................. 346 639 14.2 323 370 404 463 588 775 853 925 1,105

20-29 years .............................. 313 545 12.5 288 319 339 380 519 668 736 804 919

30-39 years .............................. 369 531 12.0 244 295 330 375 493 639 742 805 1,026

40-49 years .............................. 265 590 18.6 309 348 395 440 550 678 772 831 1,004

50-59 years .............................. 139 587 20.9 *225 317 343 423 569 739 801 860 *939 

60-69 years .............................. 135 634 26.3 *280 328 352 418 595 765 899 1,019 *1,197 

70 years and over .................... 114 572 28.6 *210 263 283 354 519 735 890 990 *1,185 

 Mexican American

4 years and over ......................... 1,636 801 121.7 255 305 338 383 523 700 795 928 1,132

 4 years and over, age adjusted .. ... 835 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

4-5 years .................................. 150 829 26.9 *479 520 550 573 779 976 1,152 1,268 *1,391 

6-11 years ................................ 177 737 19.6 *444 472 522 581 712 842 977 1,076 *1,192 

12-19 years .............................. 247 552 21.5 287 335 352 386 497 640 731 780 988

20-29 years .............................. 289 663 268.1 223 255 288 336 442 573 668 746 870

30-39 years .............................. 247 1,247 495.2 253 294 324 362 498 608 739 886 1,577

40-49 years .............................. 174 838 288.9 *298 331 352 395 487 646 759 833 *1,024 

50-59 years .............................. 92 589 103.8 *249 *283 312 350 443 630 735 *863 *1,188 

60-69 years .............................. 160 *600 *88.3 *188 261 302 335 466 619 764 824 *947 

70 years and over .................... 100 1,751 881.1 *197 198 236 324 543 847 1,038 1,518 *4,503 

... Category not applicable.

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Because of small sample sizes along with influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median or geometric mean be used as a measure of central tendency.

See appendix I for geometric means and investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations. Pregnant women are excluded. 

Page 22 [ Series 11, No. 243
r milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age,

4

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

6.8 0.2 3.4 5.1 8.3 3,287 5.9 0.3 3.1 4.5 6.9 11,040 7.0 0.2 3.5 5.2 8.6

6.8 ... ... ... ... ... 6.1 ... ... ... ... ... 7.0 ... ... ... ...

5.6 0.2 3.1 4.5 6.8 1,568 4.9 0.3 2.9 4.2 6.0 4,136 5.7 0.2 3.1 4.6 7.0

6.8 0.3 3.4 5.1 8.4 725 6.1 0.7 3.1 4.7 7.4 3,176 6.9 0.4 3.5 5.2 8.5

9.3 0.4 4.5 7.0 11.7 994 8.6 0.8 3.9 6.3 10.9 3,728 9.5 0.5 4.6 7.2 12.0

7.2 0.2 3.5 5.4 9.0 600 6.4 0.6 3.0 4.8 7.5 5,636 7.3 0.2 3.6 5.5 9.0

7.1 ... ... ... ... ... 6.5 ... ... ... ... ... 7.2 ... ... ... ...

5.8 0.1 3.1 4.7 7.1 184 4.8 0.3 2.7 4.0 6.2 1,553 5.9 0.2 3.1 4.8 7.2

7.1 0.2 3.5 5.3 8.8 107 6.7 0.8 3.0 5.5 7.9 1,557 7.2 0.2 3.6 5.4 8.9

9.7 0.2 4.7 7.3 12.2 309 9.5 0.7 4.1 7.1 11.4 2,526 9.7 0.3 4.8 7.5 12.4

5.2 0.1 2.9 4.1 6.2 1,171 5.2 0.2 2.9 4.2 6.2 2,637 5.2 0.1 2.9 4.1 6.2

5.3 ... ... ... ... ... 5.3 ... ... ... ... ... 5.4 ... ... ... ...

4.6 0.1 2.7 3.8 5.5 604 4.5 0.2 2.7 3.8 5.4 1,233 4.7 0.1 2.8 3.9 5.5

5.3 0.2 2.9 4.1 6.2 267 5.7 0.5 2.9 4.4 6.4 837 5.2 0.2 2.9 4.1 6.06.8 0.2 3.5 5.1 8.1 300 6.6 0.4 3.6 5.1 7.6 567 7.0 0.3 3.5 5.2 8.5

5.3 0.2 3.1 4.3 6.4 1,372 4.9 0.3 3.0 4.1 5.9 2,349 5.5 0.3 3.2 4.5 6.6

5.5 ... ... ... ... ... 5.1 ... ... ... ... ... 5.8 ... ... ... ...

5.0 0.1 3.1 4.2 6.0 715 4.8 0.2 2.9 4.1 5.6 1,175 5.2 0.2 3.1 4.3 6.2

5.3 0.2 3.1 4.4 6.5 308 5.0 0.3 3.2 4.3 6.4 642 5.4 0.2 3.1 4.5 6.8

6.8 0.3 3.6 5.3 7.9 349 5.7 0.4 3.4 4.6 6.8 532 7.4 0.4 4.0 5.7 8.8

arately.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 23
r milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age,

4

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

6.2 0.2 3.2 4.9 7.6 1,389 5.4 0.4 3.1 4.3 6.4 5,489 6.3 0.2 3.3 4.9 7.8

6.3 ... ... ... ... ... 5.6 ... ... ... ... ... 6.4 ... ... ... ...

5.2 0.1 3.0 4.3 6.3 661 4.8 0.2 2.9 4.1 6.0 2,045 5.2 0.1 3.0 4.3 6.46.3 0.2 3.3 4.9 7.7 308 5.7 0.4 3.1 4.5 7.3 1,535 6.4 0.2 3.4 5.0 7.8

8.4 0.2 4.2 6.5 10.9 420 6.9 0.6 3.2 5.2 8.6 1,909 8.7 0.3 4.4 6.8 11.2

6.5 0.2 3.3 5.1 8.0 227 5.8 0.7 3.1 4.6 6.8 2,730 6.5 0.2 3.3 5.1 8.1

6.5 ... ... ... ... ... 6.0 ... ... ... ... ... 6.5 ... ... ... ...

5.3 0.1 3.1 4.4 6.5 73 5.0 0.4 2.9 4.5 6.2 713 5.3 0.2 3.1 4.4 6.76.5 0.2 3.4 5.1 8.2 42 6.3 0.8 *3.2 *5.6 *8.8 751 6.6 0.2 3.5 5.1 8.2

8.7 0.2 4.4 6.8 11.2 112 7.6 0.9 3.4 5.3 9.8 1,266 8.8 0.2 4.5 6.9 11.4

4.9 0.1 2.8 4.0 5.8 452 4.8 0.3 2.8 4.1 5.8 1,315 4.9 0.2 2.9 4.0 5.7

5.0 ... ... ... ... ... 4.9 ... ... ... ... ... 5.1 ... ... ... ...

4.5 0.1 2.8 3.8 5.3 219 4.4 0.2 2.8 3.8 5.4 623 4.6 0.1 2.8 3.8 5.45.0 0.2 2.8 4.0 6.0 110 5.3 0.5 3.0 4.4 6.2 385 4.9 0.2 2.8 4.0 5.86.1 0.3 3.1 4.6 7.6 123 5.4 0.5 2.7 4.4 6.1 307 6.4 0.3 3.4 4.7 8.1

5.1 0.2 3.1 4.2 6.2 656 4.8 0.4 2.9 4.0 5.8 1,253 5.3 0.3 3.2 4.4 6.4

5.3 ... ... ... ... ... 4.9 ... ... ... ... ... 5.6 ... ... ... ...

4.9 0.1 3.1 4.1 5.9 343 4.6 0.2 2.9 4.0 5.6 620 5.1 0.2 3.2 4.3 6.25.1 0.2 3.1 4.2 6.3 140 4.8 0.4 2.9 3.8 5.9 342 5.3 0.3 3.3 4.3 6.56.3 0.3 3.6 5.0 7.6 173 5.7 0.6 3.4 4.5 6.4 291 6.8 0.5 3.7 5.4 8.1

y or precision.

arately.

Page 24 [ Series 11, No. 243
r milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity, age,

4

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

7.4 0.3 3.6 5.5 9.0 1,898 6.3 0.5 3.0 4.7 7.4 5,551 7.6 0.3 3.7 5.7 9.3

7.3 ... ... ... ... ... 6.4 ... ... ... ... ... 7.5 ... ... ... ...

6.0 0.1 3.1 4.7 7.4 907 4.9 0.2 2.7 4.2 6.1 2,091 6.3 0.2 3.3 5.0 7.97.3 0.2 3.5 5.3 8.9 417 6.5 0.5 3.0 4.9 7.6 1,641 7.5 0.3 3.6 5.5 9.2

10.0 0.3 4.7 7.4 12.6 574 9.4 0.6 4.3 7.1 11.5 1,819 10.2 0.4 4.8 7.6 13.1

7.9 0.3 3.8 5.9 9.8 373 6.9 0.8 2.9 5.0 7.9 2,906 8.0 0.3 3.8 5.9 10.0

7.7 ... ... ... ... ... 6.7 ... ... ... ... ... 7.9 ... ... ... ...

6.3 0.2 3.3 5.1 8.1 111 4.7 0.4 2.5 3.9 6.2 840 6.6 0.2 3.5 5.2 8.47.8 0.3 3.6 5.8 9.7 65 7.0 1.1 2.9 5.3 7.8 806 7.9 0.3 3.8 5.8 9.9

10.4 0.3 4.9 7.9 13.3 197 10.3 0.9 5.1 8.3 12.4 1,260 10.5 0.4 4.9 7.9 13.5

5.5 0.2 2.9 4.2 6.4 719 5.4 0.3 2.9 4.2 6.3 1,322 5.5 0.2 3.0 4.2 6.6

5.6 ... ... ... ... ... 5.6 ... ... ... ... ... 5.7 ... ... ... ...

4.7 0.1 2.7 4.0 5.6 385 4.5 0.2 2.7 3.8 5.4 610 4.9 0.1 2.8 4.1 5.95.6 0.2 3.0 4.2 6.3 157 6.1 0.6 2.9 4.5 7.1 452 5.4 0.2 3.0 4.2 6.07.4 0.3 3.8 5.5 8.5 177 7.3 0.5 3.8 5.7 8.4 260 7.6 0.5 3.6 5.7 8.9

5.5 0.3 3.1 4.5 6.6 716 5.1 0.4 3.0 4.2 6.1 1,096 5.7 0.4 3.2 4.6 6.8

5.7 ... ... ... ... ... 5.2 ... ... ... ... ... 6.0 ... ... ... ...

5.2 0.1 3.1 4.3 6.1 372 4.9 0.2 2.9 4.1 5.7 555 5.4 0.2 3.1 4.4 6.55.4 0.2 3.2 4.7 6.6 168 5.2 0.3 3.4 4.6 6.5 300 5.5 0.3 3.1 4.7 6.97.2 0.3 3.8 5.5 8.1 176 5.8 0.4 3.5 4.7 6.9 241 8.1 0.6 4.0 6.0 9.5

arately.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 25
rams per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by

nited States, 1988-94

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

198 2.8 129 173 240 3,210 177 5.7 119 153 215 10,839 202 3.4 131 176 245

198 ... ... ... ... ... 182 ... ... ... ... ... 202 ... ... ... ...

173 3.2 120 156 208 1,560 159 6.0 113 144 188 4,133 175 3.9 122 158 210204 5.4 132 177 247 716 189 12.6 125 162 226 3,170 207 6.4 134 180 249

243 6.4 153 212 300 934 219 14.6 133 190 265 3,536 249 7.8 155 219 308

208 3.0 134 182 253 550 194 10.4 123 165 238 5,492 210 3.3 135 184 254

207 ... ... ... ... ... 197 ... ... ... ... ... 208 ... ... ... ...

180 2.6 124 162 219 182 168 8.1 115 147 220 1,559 181 2.8 125 164 218213 3.7 138 184 261 104 210 15.6 127 186 260 1,553 214 4.0 140 186 261

253 3.7 159 223 311 264 238 13.0 141 209 279 2,380 256 4.2 160 228 316

148 1.7 102 133 177 1,165 146 3.7 99 131 173 2,639 149 2.1 103 133 179

150 ... ... ... ... ... 149 ... ... ... ... ... 152 ... ... ... ...

136 1.6 97 125 164 609 132 3.3 95 120 157 1,239 138 2.0 98 127 166152 2.6 103 136 182 262 156 6.5 105 138 183 844 151 2.9 104 136 181

177 3.6 119 158 212 294 174 7.0 114 155 204 556 180 4.5 121 160 219

173 4.4 123 154 204 1,351 166 7.2 119 149 195 2,297 177 6.2 125 158 210

177 ... ... ... ... ... 168 ... ... ... ... ... 183 ... ... ... ...

165 2.7 121 149 195 704 162 4.5 121 148 188 1,160 168 3.9 122 151 200180 4.3 125 163 216 306 169 7.6 118 151 205 633 184 5.8 129 165 219

198 6.1 131 169 231 341 180 9.7 116 153 205 504 211 9.0 139 179 260

arately.

Page 26 [ Series 11, No. 243
rams per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

88-94

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

190 3.6 128 169 228 1,355 170 7.5 119 149 202 5,397 193 4.3 129 171 232

191 ... ... ... ... ... 174 ... ... ... ... ... 194 ... ... ... ...

169 4.3 121 156 201 655 158 8.8 118 145 185 2,044 171 5.1 122 157 203196 7.1 131 173 237 302 183 17.1 123 153 220 1,528 198 8.2 132 175 237

231 8.2 149 203 287 398 195 19.0 120 166 241 1,825 236 9.6 151 206 296

199 3.9 132 177 240 208 188 14.0 127 164 229 2,658 200 4.2 132 177 240

199 ... ... ... ... ... 193 ... ... ... ... ... 200 ... ... ... ...

177 3.2 126 162 209 73 172 10.7 123 153 210 715 177 3.4 126 162 209203 4.3 135 179 243 41 212 19.2 *132 *186 *264 746 203 4.6 136 180 242239 4.2 154 210 297 94 213 16.1 127 188 242 1,197 241 4.6 154 211 303

145 2.4 103 132 173 447 144 6.2 102 131 166 1,327 145 2.7 104 131 174

148 ... ... ... ... ... 146 ... ... ... ... ... 149 ... ... ... ...

138 2.2 102 128 162 218 137 5.9 101 126 156 628 137 2.3 101 127 165145 3.2 103 133 174 106 148 8.5 102 136 178 390 144 3.5 105 132 171173 4.6 113 151 208 123 161 10.8 105 142 180 309 178 5.6 119 157 227

169 5.7 122 152 200 645 158 8.9 117 145 188 1,223 175 8.1 125 156 204

174 ... ... ... ... ... 162 ... ... ... ... ... 182 ... ... ... ...

160 3.3 122 149 188 338 154 4.9 119 143 181 612 166 4.8 124 151 193

181 5.9 122 163 221 138 167 11.1 111 147 208 335 186 7.7 129 168 223194 7.5 128 164 224 169 171 11.7 113 156 205 276 208 10.8 138 177 259

sion.

arately.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 27
rams per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by

nited States, 1988-94

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

206 4.3 129 179 253 1,855 183 8.2 119 157 223 5,442 211 5.3 134 184 258

204 ... ... ... ... ... 186 ... ... ... ... ... 209 ... ... ... ...

176 4.7 120 157 217 905 159 8.2 110 142 192 2,089 180 6.0 122 160 223212 8.1 134 182 260 414 194 18.0 125 163 232 1,642 215 9.6 138 187 267

253 9.6 156 221 311 536 230 20.4 139 197 279 1,711 260 12.2 161 229 319

218 4.6 136 190 269 342 198 14.6 123 165 240 2,834 220 5.1 138 192 271

214 ... ... ... ... ... 198 ... ... ... ... ... 216 ... ... ... ...

184 3.5 123 163 230 109 166 10.4 113 138 220 844 186 3.8 125 166 232223 5.3 141 195 283 63 208 20.5 125 183 249 807 225 5.7 145 199 283263 5.2 164 231 322 170 249 16.1 145 215 283 1,183 268 6.0 168 235 332

150 2.4 99 134 182 718 147 4.5 97 130 177 1,312 152 3.2 101 136 184

152 ... ... ... ... ... 151 ... ... ... ... ... 154 ... ... ... ...

135 2.1 94 123 164 391 129 3.4 93 116 158 611 139 3.0 95 124 168

157 3.4 105 140 191 156 161 8.4 110 141 188 454 157 4.0 103 141 195181 4.7 125 162 214 171 180 8.2 121 158 208 247 181 6.4 125 164 218

178 6.7 124 158 212 706 173 11.2 122 155 200 1,074 180 9.5 125 160 216

181 ... ... ... ... ... 175 ... ... ... ... ... 185 ... ... ... ...

172 3.7 121 153 208 366 172 6.3 122 155 195 548 172 5.1 117 150 212

179 5.0 127 163 212 168 171 8.6 123 154 204 298 182 7.0 130 164 215201 7.9 134 172 236 172 186 12.5 121 153 203 228 213 12.3 140 182 262

arately.

Page 28 [ Series 11, No. 243
ms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

91-94

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

484 9.9 334 434 571 1,822 536 35.2 344 456 599 5,585 474 9.9 332 429 564

484 ... ... ... ... ... 543 ... ... ... ... ... 474 ... ... ... ...

486 18.7 343 443 572 885 512 49.7 351 450 580 2,153 478 21.5 342 439 566479 11.0 338 433 571 389 571 84.3 358 471 614 1,600 468 5.7 332 428 560489 17.8 314 417 567 548 570 58.8 313 451 666 1,832 477 15.2 314 415 558

456 6.0 324 421 546 293 451 11.6 310 414 553 2,706 456 6.8 325 422 547

456 ... ... ... ... ... 454 ... ... ... ... ... 456 ... ... ... ...

453 6.7 334 426 550 97 435 18.4 319 411 528 743 456 7.3 336 426 552455 7.8 330 420 539 44 461 33.3 *345 419 *534 735 453 8.2 328 420 536464 18.6 305 405 548 152 485 28.0 290 405 589 1,228 463 22.1 306 406 543

565 6.6 400 523 683 716 536 10.0 386 502 651 1,422 576 8.9 405 536 690

567 ... ... ... ... ... 537 ... ... ... ... ... 579 ... ... ... ...

551 6.9 393 520 669 367 531 11.1 390 499 628 708 556 8.9 391 533 683578 12.1 411 529 687 171 531 17.3 385 501 661 449 593 16.4 420 532 689

585 13.8 389 533 715 178 555 21.4 353 511 694 265 608 19.8 405 549 730

689 93.5 351 457 586 707 785 183.2 351 454 585 1,223 633 113.3 351 452 580

711 ... ... ... ... ... 879 ... ... ... ... ... 611 ... ... ... ...

678 146.0 349 459 578 372 656 *235.4 348 440 574 605 *711 *211.6 352 468 585

648 113.2 371 454 606 146 *1,007 *442.4 395 484 629 344 524 26.3 365 439 570

*860 *233.4 320 445 607 189 *1,167 *437.3 333 459 638 274 521 36.9 311 429 590

sion.

parately.

 influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median be used as a measure of central tendency. See appendix I for investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations. Pregnant

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 29
ms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

91-94

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

467 5.8 338 432 549 3,285 465 6.1 337 431 549 2,580 460 4.3 334 429 543

467 ... ... ... ... ... 465 ... ... ... ... ... 459 ... ... ... ...

478 5.2 351 456 562 1,329 476 5.2 350 455 561 994 472 6.0 349 452 556

463 7.9 334 428 541 848 459 7.8 330 427 541 701 457 8.1 331 426 536447 18.6 294 388 516 1,108 449 20.2 294 391 519 885 435 9.6 292 388 507

445 5.2 329 420 527 1,247 447 5.4 329 422 532 1,163 445 5.6 328 420 528

445 ... ... ... ... ... 446 ... ... ... ... ... 445 ... ... ... ...

460 10.0 349 437 539 330 462 10.3 350 437 542 300 460 10.9 349 437 540444 10.3 328 420 523 311 444 10.7 324 419 528 304 444 10.7 325 420 529419 11.7 289 374 492 606 419 12.3 288 376 493 559 414 12.6 287 375 491

564 10.1 399 517 683 930 563 10.6 399 518 683 673 585 13.3 408 546 701

563 ... ... ... ... ... 562 ... ... ... ... ... 584 ... ... ... ...

566 10.5 411 545 692 452 566 10.9 411 546 693 336 584 13.1 412 567 705564 20.3 398 501 677 255 563 21.4 386 497 673 188 587 27.0 405 510 690555 18.2 376 476 670 223 554 19.2 377 476 667 149 581 25.4 398 507 680

523 42.4 351 445 561 975 517 45.8 352 446 560 648 493 15.1 352 447 560

556 ... ... ... ... ... 556 ... ... ... ... ... 493 ... ... ... ...

488 14.1 352 449 565 485 *479 *12.2 352 448 560 313 *489 *16.3 355 461 576545 40.2 367 441 550 250 *534 *38.6 369 446 550 186 501 34.1 366 437 549

*709 *266.1 299 412 564 240 *742 *298.4 299 412 584 149 494 49.0 284 393 584

sion.

parately.

 influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median be used as a measure of central tendency. See appendix I for investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations.

Page 30 [ Series 11, No. 243
ms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

91-94

All income levels1 Below poverty At or above poverty

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

501 17.7 331 437 592 4,107 499 18.3 330 434 591 3,005 489 18.6 331 430 586

500 ... ... ... ... ... 498 ... ... ... ... ... 489 ... ... ... ...

493 35.4 327 430 585 1,706 492 37.7 326 426 584 1,159 485 42.4 327 426 584495 19.2 341 445 597 1,135 493 20.6 340 439 594 899 478 8.1 336 434 587520 28.3 324 447 611 1,266 518 23.4 327 447 615 947 511 27.3 328 445 597

467 10.1 321 422 573 1,738 466 10.7 320 421 572 1,543 468 11.8 322 422 576

463 ... ... ... ... ... 464 ... ... ... ... ... 466 ... ... ... ...

446 8.5 313 412 567 507 446 8.7 313 411 568 443 450 9.4 317 416 579465 10.9 330 423 569 462 463 11.2 330 422 564 431 462 11.6 330 420 564

498 30.2 318 431 588 769 501 33.6 320 431 588 669 502 37.5 321 436 586

566 8.6 401 527 682 1,207 564 9.1 401 526 678 749 567 12.0 401 525 673

569 ... ... ... ... ... 568 ... ... ... ... ... 571 ... ... ... ...

538 8.7 378 504 646 623 532 8.7 375 499 640 372 524 11.3 369 496 639589 14.2 436 554 688 365 590 15.4 438 553 687 261 597 19.4 444 550 687

606 19.5 398 557 754 219 613 20.9 408 560 755 116 632 29.3 413 558 763

879 188.8 351 473 610 955 876 197.5 350 468 607 575 808 247.1 350 465 602

886 ... ... ... ... ... 851 ... ... ... ... ... 771 ... ... ... ...

922 268.1 345 472 588 492 962 *291.3 346 471 591 292 *1,024 *406.3 343 472 588754 193.9 378 478 642 240 764 *215.0 368 466 631 158 549 34.6 355 447 629

*984 *322.9 334 473 653 223 738 *125.0 326 461 630 125 545 47.4 326 453 620

sion.

parately.

 influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median be used as a measure of central tendency. See appendix I for investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations. Pregnant

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 31
er milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

s, 1988-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

r of

ed

ns Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

5 6.8 0.2 3.4 5.1 8.3 6,518 6.5 0.2 3.2 4.8 7.7 9,229 6.9 0.2 3.5 5.3 8.6

. 6.8 ... ... ... ... ... 5.9 ... ... ... ... ... 7.1 ... ... ... ...

2 5.6 0.2 3.1 4.5 6.8 1,930 4.8 0.2 2.7 4.0 5.9 4,245 5.8 0.2 3.1 4.7 7.0

8 6.8 0.3 3.4 5.1 8.4 1,543 5.8 0.4 3.1 4.4 6.8 2,697 7.1 0.4 3.5 5.4 8.8

5 9.3 0.4 4.5 7.0 11.7 3,045 8.5 0.5 4.0 6.2 10.5 2,287 9.9 0.6 4.9 7.5 12.7

0 7.2 0.2 3.5 5.4 9.0 2,013 7.0 0.3 3.2 5.0 8.4 4,713 7.3 0.2 3.6 5.5 9.1

. 7.1 ... ... ... ... ... 6.0 ... ... ... ... ... 7.3 ... ... ... ...

8 5.8 0.1 3.1 4.7 7.1 260 4.6 0.3 2.7 3.8 5.6 1,544 6.0 0.2 3.2 4.9 7.5

1 7.1 0.2 3.5 5.3 8.8 334 6.0 0.4 3.1 4.2 6.9 1,417 7.4 0.2 3.6 5.7 9.3

1 9.7 0.2 4.7 7.3 12.2 1,419 9.0 0.3 4.2 6.6 11.2 1,752 10.0 0.3 5.1 7.7 13.1

7 5.2 0.1 2.9 4.1 6.2 1,570 5.3 0.2 2.9 4.2 6.3 2,625 5.2 0.1 2.9 4.1 6.0

. 5.3 ... ... ... ... ... 5.1 ... ... ... ... ... 5.6 ... ... ... ...

1 4.6 0.1 2.7 3.8 5.5 456 4.3 0.2 2.6 3.7 5.2 1,543 4.7 0.1 2.8 3.9 5.5

7 5.3 0.2 2.9 4.1 6.2 443 5.4 0.3 3.0 4.4 6.2 766 5.3 0.2 2.9 4.1 6.1

9 6.8 0.2 3.5 5.1 8.1 671 6.2 0.2 3.3 5.0 7.6 316 7.9 0.6 3.9 5.5 9.3

0 5.3 0.2 3.1 4.3 6.4 2,670 5.2 0.2 3.1 4.3 6.3 1,536 5.3 0.3 3.1 4.4 6.5

. 5.5 ... ... ... ... ... 5.4 ... ... ... ... ... 6.1 ... ... ... ...

5 5.0 0.1 3.1 4.2 6.0 1,125 4.9 0.2 3.1 4.2 5.8 982 5.2 0.2 3.1 4.3 6.2

6 5.3 0.2 3.1 4.4 6.5 680 5.3 0.2 3.2 4.4 6.5 398 5.2 0.3 3.1 4.3 6.5

9 6.8 0.3 3.6 5.3 7.9 865 6.3 0.3 3.5 5.0 7.5 156 9.0 0.9 4.7 7.3 10.9

eparately.

Page 32 [ Series 11, No. 243
r milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

1988-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

6.2 0.2 3.2 4.9 7.6 3,261 5.9 0.3 3.1 4.4 6.9 4,233 6.3 0.2 3.3 5.0 7.7

6.3 ... ... ... ... ... 5.6 ... ... ... ... ... 6.5 ... ... ... ...

5.2 0.1 3.0 4.3 6.3 991 4.5 0.1 2.7 3.8 5.6 1,939 5.3 0.1 3.1 4.5 6.56.3 0.2 3.3 4.9 7.7 746 5.5 0.3 3.1 4.2 6.2 1,239 6.5 0.3 3.4 5.1 8.1

8.4 0.2 4.2 6.5 10.9 1,524 7.8 0.3 3.7 5.7 9.2 1,055 9.0 0.3 4.7 7.3 11.6

6.5 0.2 3.3 5.1 8.0 997 6.3 0.4 3.1 4.5 7.7 2,158 6.5 0.2 3.4 5.1 8.1

6.5 ... ... ... ... ... 5.6 ... ... ... ... ... 6.7 ... ... ... ...

5.3 0.1 3.1 4.4 6.5 122 4.2 0.3 2.6 3.6 5.2 696 5.5 0.2 3.1 4.6 6.86.5 0.2 3.4 5.1 8.2 165 5.7 0.4 3.1 4.2 6.7 664 6.7 0.3 3.5 5.3 8.4

8.7 0.2 4.4 6.8 11.2 710 8.2 0.4 3.8 6.0 9.7 798 9.1 0.3 4.9 7.3 11.8

4.9 0.1 2.8 4.0 5.8 766 5.0 0.2 2.8 4.1 6.0 1,150 4.8 0.2 2.9 4.0 5.6

5.0 ... ... ... ... ... 4.9 ... ... ... ... ... 5.2 ... ... ... ...

4.5 0.1 2.8 3.8 5.3 215 4.4 0.2 2.7 3.7 5.5 693 4.6 0.1 2.8 3.8 5.35.0 0.2 2.8 4.0 6.0 213 5.0 0.3 2.8 4.2 6.0 318 5.0 0.2 2.8 4.0 6.16.1 0.3 3.1 4.6 7.6 338 5.8 0.3 2.9 4.5 7.0 139 6.8 0.6 3.7 5.0 8.5

5.1 0.2 3.1 4.2 6.2 1,392 5.0 0.3 3.1 4.2 6.0 761 5.2 0.4 3.1 4.3 6.4

5.3 ... ... ... ... ... 5.2 ... ... ... ... ... 5.5 ... ... ... ...

4.9 0.1 3.1 4.1 5.9 615 4.8 0.2 3.1 4.1 5.7 465 5.1 0.2 3.1 4.3 6.35.1 0.2 3.1 4.2 6.3 333 5.2 0.3 3.1 4.2 6.2 209 5.0 0.3 3.1 4.2 6.46.3 0.3 3.6 5.0 7.6 444 6.1 0.4 3.4 4.8 7.3 87 7.1 0.7 *4.4 *6.0 *8.6 

sion.

arately.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 33
r milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

1988-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

7.4 0.3 3.6 5.5 9.0 3,257 7.0 0.4 3.4 5.2 8.3 4,996 7.6 0.3 3.6 5.6 9.3

7.3 ... ... ... ... ... 6.3 ... ... ... ... ... 7.6 ... ... ... ...

6.0 0.1 3.1 4.7 7.4 939 5.1 0.2 2.9 4.2 6.1 2,306 6.2 0.2 3.3 4.9 7.87.3 0.2 3.5 5.3 8.9 797 6.0 0.3 3.1 4.5 7.1 1,458 7.7 0.3 3.6 5.8 9.5

10.0 0.3 4.7 7.4 12.6 1,521 9.1 0.3 4.4 6.8 11.3 1,232 10.6 0.5 5.0 7.9 13.6

7.9 0.3 3.8 5.9 9.8 1,016 7.7 0.5 3.5 5.4 9.2 2,555 8.0 0.3 3.8 6.0 9.9

7.7 ... ... ... ... ... 6.5 ... ... ... ... ... 8.0 ... ... ... ...

6.3 0.2 3.3 5.1 8.1 138 5.0 0.4 2.8 4.0 6.1 848 6.5 0.2 3.4 5.1 8.37.8 0.3 3.6 5.8 9.7 169 6.4 0.6 2.9 4.4 7.2 753 8.0 0.3 3.8 6.0 10.4

10.4 0.3 4.9 7.9 13.3 709 9.7 0.4 4.6 7.5 12.2 954 10.7 0.4 5.1 8.1 14.0

5.5 0.2 2.9 4.2 6.4 804 5.6 0.2 3.1 4.4 6.6 1,475 5.4 0.2 2.9 4.2 6.4

5.6 ... ... ... ... ... 5.2 ... ... ... ... ... 5.9 ... ... ... ...

4.7 0.1 2.7 4.0 5.6 241 4.2 0.2 2.5 3.6 4.9 850 4.8 0.1 2.8 4.0 5.95.6 0.2 3.0 4.2 6.3 230 5.7 0.3 3.3 4.5 6.4 448 5.5 0.3 2.9 4.1 6.37.4 0.3 3.8 5.5 8.5 333 6.6 0.3 3.6 5.4 7.9 177 8.6 0.7 4.1 6.0 9.8

5.5 0.3 3.1 4.5 6.6 1,278 5.5 0.4 3.2 4.5 6.6 775 5.5 0.5 3.1 4.5 6.6

5.7 ... ... ... ... ... 5.6 ... ... ... ... ... 6.6 ... ... ... ...

5.2 0.1 3.1 4.3 6.1 510 5.2 0.2 3.0 4.3 6.1 517 5.2 0.2 3.0 4.2 6.25.4 0.2 3.2 4.7 6.6 347 5.5 0.2 3.2 4.7 6.8 189 5.3 0.3 3.1 4.6 6.67.2 0.3 3.8 5.5 8.1 421 6.5 0.3 3.5 5.3 7.5 69 10.9 1.2 5.0 8.4 14.2

arately.

Page 34 [ Series 11, No. 243
rams per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by

 United States, 1988-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

198 2.8 129 173 240 6,294 191 4.6 124 162 226 9,134 201 3.6 131 177 245

198 ... ... ... ... ... 182 ... ... ... ... ... 204 ... ... ... ...

173 3.2 120 156 208 1,923 159 5.3 114 143 186 4,245 176 3.9 122 158 212204 5.4 132 177 247 1,536 186 8.6 123 156 217 2,690 209 6.9 136 182 254

243 6.4 153 212 300 2,835 225 8.3 141 194 275 2,199 256 9.9 162 229 314

208 3.0 134 182 253 1,859 205 6.2 128 173 243 4,636 209 3.5 136 184 254

207 ... ... ... ... ... 190 ... ... ... ... ... 211 ... ... ... ...

180 2.6 124 162 219 261 163 6.5 116 146 196 1,548 183 2.8 126 166 223213 3.7 138 184 261 332 194 8.5 125 162 221 1,413 216 4.2 142 190 269

253 3.7 159 223 311 1,266 238 5.6 149 204 289 1,675 261 4.9 168 233 317

148 1.7 102 133 177 1,551 151 3.2 101 133 180 2,636 147 2.0 102 133 177

150 ... ... ... ... ... 146 ... ... ... ... ... 153 ... ... ... ...

136 1.6 97 125 164 454 129 3.8 95 121 151 1,554 138 1.8 98 127 167152 2.6 103 136 182 440 152 4.4 99 133 186 770 152 3.2 106 138 180

177 3.6 119 158 212 657 173 4.4 114 152 204 312 186 6.1 127 170 224

173 4.4 123 154 204 2,623 171 5.3 124 153 202 1,508 175 7.5 122 157 208

177 ... ... ... ... ... 173 ... ... ... ... ... 191 ... ... ... ...

165 2.7 121 149 195 1,119 163 3.5 122 148 192 967 168 4.3 120 151 197180 4.3 125 163 216 676 178 5.2 125 161 213 391 183 7.4 123 164 218

198 6.1 131 169 231 828 188 6.4 127 161 216 150 248 16.6 158 221 323

arately.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 35
rams per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

1988-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

190 3.6 128 169 228 3,175 181 5.5 123 158 211 4,189 193 4.8 131 173 234

191 ... ... ... ... ... 176 ... ... ... ... ... 198 ... ... ... ...

169 4.3 121 156 201 990 155 6.5 116 146 180 1,937 173 5.4 123 158 207196 7.1 131 173 237 737 180 11.7 121 150 208 1,236 200 9.0 134 179 242

231 8.2 149 203 287 1,448 211 9.7 134 183 262 1,016 246 13.4 160 219 305

199 3.9 132 177 240 937 194 7.4 127 166 230 2,120 200 4.6 135 180 240

199 ... ... ... ... ... 184 ... ... ... ... ... 203 ... ... ... ...

177 3.2 126 162 209 123 162 7.3 122 151 190 697 179 3.5 129 164 212203 4.3 135 179 243 163 189 10.6 123 151 213 660 206 4.7 140 183 247239 4.2 154 210 297 651 221 5.7 139 191 280 763 250 6.0 164 223 308

145 2.4 103 132 173 764 150 4.7 103 134 177 1,161 143 2.7 104 132 170

148 ... ... ... ... ... 147 ... ... ... ... ... 150 ... ... ... ...

138 2.2 102 128 162 214 137 5.7 105 128 156 698 138 2.3 101 128 164145 3.2 103 133 174 209 148 5.6 98 134 184 323 145 3.9 108 133 169173 4.6 113 151 208 341 169 5.9 106 145 199 140 181 7.3 121 171 232

169 5.7 122 152 200 1,368 164 6.4 121 149 195 744 175 10.8 124 156 205

174 ... ... ... ... ... 168 ... ... ... ... ... 190 ... ... ... ...

160 3.3 122 149 188 615 155 3.6 121 145 185 456 167 5.9 123 153 194

181 5.9 122 163 221 328 176 6.9 121 160 212 205 189 10.8 122 163 233194 7.5 128 164 224 425 185 7.7 123 160 213 83 240 21.0 *156 *211 *323 

y or precision.

arately.

Page 36 [ Series 11, No. 243
rams per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by

 United States, 1988-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

206 4.3 129 179 253 3,119 200 7.3 125 169 239 4,945 208 5.4 131 182 255

204 ... ... ... ... ... 188 ... ... ... ... ... 210 ... ... ... ...

176 4.7 120 157 217 933 163 8.6 112 142 199 2,308 179 5.6 121 160 221212 8.1 134 182 260 799 191 12.5 123 162 225 1,454 217 10.2 138 188 273

253 9.6 156 221 311 1,387 237 13.3 146 203 280 1,183 263 14.1 163 233 322

218 4.6 136 190 269 922 215 9.9 129 186 260 2,516 218 5.2 137 190 271

214 ... ... ... ... ... 195 ... ... ... ... ... 218 ... ... ... ...

184 3.5 123 163 230 138 165 9.5 113 138 210 851 186 3.8 125 168 232223 5.3 141 195 283 169 199 11.4 126 174 232 753 227 5.9 145 200 290263 5.2 164 231 322 615 252 8.5 156 217 301 912 269 6.6 169 242 332

150 2.4 99 134 182 787 152 4.4 99 132 183 1,475 150 3.0 99 136 182

152 ... ... ... ... ... 144 ... ... ... ... ... 156 ... ... ... ...

135 2.1 94 123 164 240 120 4.0 88 111 139 856 139 2.5 95 126 169

157 3.4 105 140 191 231 156 5.9 103 132 188 447 158 4.2 105 142 195181 4.7 125 162 214 316 176 5.8 121 157 207 172 188 8.1 128 170 223

178 6.7 124 158 212 1,255 179 8.7 126 160 213 764 175 10.6 121 157 210

181 ... ... ... ... ... 180 ... ... ... ... ... 191 ... ... ... ...

172 3.7 121 153 208 504 175 5.4 125 156 208 511 169 5.2 116 148 206

179 5.0 127 163 212 348 180 6.4 127 162 215 186 176 8.1 125 164 203201 7.9 134 172 236 403 190 8.3 128 163 223 67 256 21.4 *169 *233 *321 

sion.

arately.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 37
ms per milliliter for persons 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

1991-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

484 9.9 334 434 571 3,201 503 18.9 334 456 586 4,831 478 11.8 334 430 565

484 ... ... ... ... ... 502 ... ... ... ... ... 479 ... ... ... ...

486 18.7 343 443 572 993 491 23.7 340 460 580 2,265 484 23.8 343 439 570479 11.0 338 433 571 724 518 33.2 354 475 600 1,405 470 9.9 334 427 552

489 17.8 314 417 567 1,484 506 36.3 307 424 568 1,161 479 9.3 316 413 566

456 6.0 324 421 546 886 457 22.2 321 428 549 2,327 456 4.2 325 421 544

456 ... ... ... ... ... 456 ... ... ... ... ... 456 ... ... ... ...

453 6.7 334 426 550 117 452 16.3 338 450 547 755 453 7.3 333 425 551455 7.8 330 420 539 130 460 17.0 341 456 581 688 454 8.7 328 417 533464 18.6 305 405 548 639 460 44.7 289 400 546 884 468 11.3 314 406 551

565 6.6 400 523 683 838 562 10.1 393 528 684 1,479 567 8.5 402 523 684

567 ... ... ... ... ... 561 ... ... ... ... ... 579 ... ... ... ...

551 6.9 393 520 669 263 548 14.2 393 524 672 898 552 7.9 393 519 673

578 12.1 411 529 687 239 583 16.0 423 555 692 428 576 16.6 405 522 687585 13.8 389 533 715 336 559 15.4 371 509 695 153 639 28.0 411 573 766

689 93.5 351 457 586 1,300 667 87.5 346 460 604 822 717 191.9 357 451 561

711 ... ... ... ... ... 697 ... ... ... ... ... 691 ... ... ... ...

678 146.0 349 459 578 551 *586 *86.0 343 456 597 511 *790 *296.4 362 460 564

648 113.2 371 454 606 303 *703 *168.5 385 466 651 230 576 146.1 355 441 553

*860 *233.4 320 445 607 446 *916 *281.8 325 446 614 81 637 168.4 302 440 573

sion.

parately.

 influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median be used as a measure of central tendency. See appendix I for investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations. Pregnant

Page 38 [ Series 11, No. 243
ms per milliliter for males 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

1991-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

467 5.8 338 432 549 1,509 479 14.8 339 458 572 2,028 463 5.1 337 427 540

467 ... ... ... ... ... 483 ... ... ... ... ... 461 ... ... ... ...

478 5.2 351 456 562 479 475 7.9 370 470 565 944 479 6.7 350 451 561

463 7.9 334 428 541 313 516 14.7 377 492 606 587 450 9.3 325 414 523447 18.6 294 388 516 717 457 35.5 286 393 531 497 441 13.5 304 383 506

445 5.2 329 420 527 398 447 8.9 328 436 546 940 445 6.3 329 419 523

445 ... ... ... ... ... 460 ... ... ... ... ... 444 ... ... ... ...

460 10.0 349 437 539 51 467 20.1 376 469 546 295 458 11.2 346 436 538444 10.3 328 420 523 49 490 24.7 377 475 600 281 437 11.2 322 411 510419 11.7 289 374 492 298 406 14.2 267 366 492 364 427 17.3 299 376 492

564 10.1 399 517 683 387 552 14.8 395 509 669 600 571 13.7 401 529 693

563 ... ... ... ... ... 553 ... ... ... ... ... 575 ... ... ... ...

566 10.5 411 545 692 113 557 18.7 423 545 672 368 569 12.6 399 544 696564 20.3 398 501 677 103 558 25.7 385 508 669 161 571 29.4 398 496 691555 18.2 376 476 670 171 539 22.1 364 460 660 71 592 32.8 411 571 676

523 42.4 351 445 561 657 532 70.1 339 430 575 407 507 23.8 368 460 549

556 ... ... ... ... ... 570 ... ... ... ... ... 492 ... ... ... ...

488 14.1 352 449 565 288 *466 *13.8 332 427 560 240 *518 *26.6 385 469 570545 40.2 367 441 550 144 *578 *51.6 377 446 594 125 492 54.1 350 436 513

*709 *266.1 299 412 564 225 *772 *324.9 304 416 584 42 441 36.7 *281 *404 *484 

sion.

parately.

 influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median be used as a measure of central tendency. See appendix I for investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 39
ms per milliliter for females 20 years and over, number of examined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selected percentiles, by race-ethnicity,

1991-94

All education levels1 Less than high school High school or more 

f

d

Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

Number of

examined

persons Mean

Standard

error of

the mean

Percentile

25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th 25th 50th 75th

501 17.7 331 437 592 1,692 527 34.0 329 452 597 2,803 493 21.1 332 434 591

500 ... ... ... ... ... 521 ... ... ... ... ... 493 ... ... ... ...

493 35.4 327 430 585 514 510 48.8 314 436 597 1,321 490 43.9 330 428 582495 19.2 341 445 597 411 521 61.2 350 462 581 818 489 16.3 340 439 604520 28.3 324 447 611 767 544 60.2 332 452 612 664 507 12.5 321 447 612

467 10.1 321 422 573 488 468 41.4 308 424 558 1,387 467 5.7 321 422 579

463 ... ... ... ... ... 447 ... ... ... ... ... 466 ... ... ... ...

446 8.5 313 412 567 66 433 24.2 308 412 558 460 447 9.1 314 413 569465 10.9 330 423 569 81 427 21.5 304 414 526 407 471 12.3 331 424 583

498 30.2 318 431 588 341 502 78.3 313 431 581 520 497 13.8 320 433 591

566 8.6 401 527 682 451 572 13.9 390 549 703 879 564 10.9 404 522 674

569 ... ... ... ... ... 567 ... ... ... ... ... 580 ... ... ... ...

538 8.7 378 504 646 150 539 20.2 360 490 665 530 537 9.6 385 505 646589 14.2 436 554 688 136 609 18.7 475 581 719 267 581 18.9 423 540 678

606 19.5 398 557 754 165 572 20.6 376 550 734 82 669 40.4 413 596 887

879 188.8 351 473 610 643 823 165.6 354 497 653 415 954 392.5 350 442 573

886 ... ... ... ... ... 837 ... ... ... ... ... 899 ... ... ... ...

922 268.1 345 472 588 263 755 *165.6 346 499 640 271 *1,098 *511.0 341 438 558754 193.9 378 478 642 159 814 *273.1 399 495 675 105 677 269.7 355 451 621

*984 *322.9 334 473 653 221 *1,034 *386.8 339 463 682 39 782 271.4 320 482 620

sion.

parately.

 influential observations in some subgroups, it is recommended that the median be used as a measure of central tendency. See appendix I for investigation of sample persons with elevated B12 concentrations. Pregnant

Page 40 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 28. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and

over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 -- --

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 2 1 -- 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 4 4 3 2 1 1

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- -- 3 6 6 5 3 2 2

Less than 2.2 ....................... 6 -- -- 5 9 9 7 5 3 3

Less than 2.4 ....................... 8 -- -- 7 12 11 10744

Less than 2.6 ....................... 10 -- 1 9 16 14 14964

Less than 2.8 ....................... 13 -- 1 13 20 17 17 12 8 6

Less than 3 .......................... 16 -- 1 16 25 20 20 15 10 7

Less than 3.2 ....................... 19 1 2 19 30 25 23 17 13 8

Less than 3.4 ....................... 21 1 2 21 33 28 27 20 15 10

Less than 3.6 ....................... 24 1 3 25 37 31 29 23 18 12

Less than 3.8 ....................... 27 2 5 28 40 35 33 26 20 14

Less than 4 .......................... 30 2 7 32 44 38 37 29 22 16

Less than 4.5 ....................... 37 4 10 40 52 46 45 36 27 22

Less than 5 .......................... 43 7 14 46 58 54 51 43 33 26

Less than 5.5 ....................... 49 10 18 53 65 60 57 48 38 33

Less than 6 .......................... 54 13 24 58 70 66 62 54 44 38

Less than 8 .......................... 70 30 46 76 85 78 75 68 60 53

Less than 10 ........................ 80 48 62 88 91 87 85 78 71 65

Less than 12 ........................ 87 64 77 92 95 93 90 83 79 72

Less than 14 ........................ 91 76 86 96 97 96 94 89 84 78

Less than 16 ........................ 94 84 90 97 98 97 95 92 89 84

Less than 18 ........................ 96 90 94 99 99 98 97 94 93 87

Less than 20 ........................ 97 93 95 99 99 99 98 96 95 91

Less than 25 ........................ 99 96 97 100 100 100 99 98 98 95

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 -- --

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 2 1 -- 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 4 4 3 2 1 1

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- -- 3 7 6 4 3 2 2

Less than 2.2 ....................... 5 -- -- 5 10 8 6 4 3 2

Less than 2.4 ....................... 7 -- -- 6 13 10 10743

Less than 2.6 ....................... 10 -- -- 8 17 14 13954

Less than 2.8 ....................... 12 -- 1 12 21 16 16 12 7 5

Less than 3 .......................... 15 -- 1 16 25 19 19 14 9 6

Less than 3.2 ....................... 18 1 1 19 29 23 21 17 12 7

Less than 3.4 ....................... 20 1 2 21 33 26 25 19 14 9

Less than 3.6 ....................... 23 1 3 24 36 29 28 23 17 10

Less than 3.8 ....................... 26 1 4 27 39 33 32 25 19 12

Less than 4 .......................... 29 2 6 31 43 36 35 28 21 14

Less than 4.5 ....................... 35 4 9 39 51 44 43 35 25 20

Less than 5 .......................... 41 5 12 44 56 51 48 42 30 25

Less than 5.5 ....................... 47 8 17 49 63 58 53 47 35 31

Less than 6 .......................... 51 11 22 53 68 63 58 52 41 36

Less than 8 .......................... 67 25 43 73 83 76 72 66 58 51

Less than 10 ........................ 78 43 58 86 90 85 83 75 69 63

Less than 12 ........................ 85 60 74 91 93 92 89 81 78 71

Less than 14 ........................ 90 72 84 95 97 95 92 87 83 76

Less than 16 ........................ 93 82 88 97 98 97 94 91 89 82

Less than 18 ........................ 95 87 92 99 99 98 96 93 92 87

Less than 20 ........................ 96 90 94 99 99 99 98 95 95 90

Less than 25 ........................ 98 95 96 100 100 100 99 98 98 95

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 41

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 28. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years and

over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 2 1 1 -- 1

Less than 1.6 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 3 3 3 2 -- 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 3 -- -- 3 5 5 4 3 1 2

Less than 2 .......................... 5 -- -- 5 8 8 6 5 3 3

Less than 2.2 ....................... 8 -- -- 7 12 12 8 8 5 5

Less than 2.4 ....................... 11 -- 1 11 15 16 12 10 8 6

Less than 2.6 ....................... 15 -- 1 16 20 21 19 14 10 8

Less than 2.8 ....................... 18 -- 2 18 25 25 24 18 13 11

Less than 3 .......................... 22 1 3 22 31 31 29 21 17 15

Less than 3.2 ....................... 26 1 4 25 36 35 33 23 21 18

Less than 3.4 ....................... 29 2 4 31 40 39 37 27 25 20

Less than 3.6 ....................... 32 4 6 35 43 43 40 31 28 22

Less than 3.8 ....................... 37 5 7 39 49 47 46 36 32 25

Less than 4 .......................... 40 5 10 42 52 51 49 41 35 28

Less than 4.5 ....................... 49 7 15 53 61 61 59 51 43 36

Less than 5 .......................... 56 12 20 61 69 69 66 58 52 41

Less than 5.5 ....................... 62 17 27 68 75 74 72 63 60 45

Less than 6 .......................... 67 23 34 73 80 78 76 68 65 51

Less than 8 .......................... 81 46 56 88 91 89 88 82 79 68

Less than 10 ........................ 89 65 75 94 97 93 92 88 86 79

Less than 12 ........................ 94 78 87 97 98 96 96 92 90 87

Less than 14 ........................ 96 87 93 99 99 97 97 95 94 92

Less than 16 ........................ 97 92 95 99 99 98 98 98 95 94

Less than 18 ........................ 98 95 97 99 100 99 98 99 97 96

Less than 20 ........................ 99 97 98 99 100 99 98 99 97 97

Less than 25 ........................ 99 99 99 100 100 100 99 99 98 98

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- --

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 2 1 -- 1 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 2 -- -- 1 4 3 2 2 1 2

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- -- 3 6 6 4 4 2 2

Less than 2.2 ....................... 6 -- -- 7 8 8 7 5 3 3

Less than 2.4 ....................... 8 -- 1 8 11 11 10755

Less than 2.6 ....................... 11 -- 1 11 15 15 15977

Less than 2.8 ....................... 14 1 1 14 19 19 19 12 9 11

Less than 3 .......................... 17 1 2 17 23 23 23 17 12 15

Less than 3.2 ....................... 21 1 2 20 29 27 27 24 15 21

Less than 3.4 ....................... 24 1 4 23 32 31 30 27 20 22

Less than 3.6 ....................... 27 2 4 27 37 34 34 31 23 25

Less than 3.8 ....................... 30 2 5 31 42 36 40 33 26 27

Less than 4 .......................... 34 3 6 35 46 41 43 39 28 31

Less than 4.5 ....................... 43 5 11 45 57 51 55 43 39 39

Less than 5 .......................... 50 7 14 52 66 59 61 51 48 42

Less than 5.5 ....................... 56 10 18 59 72 66 68 56 54 47

Less than 6 .......................... 61 14 25 65 77 71 74 62 62 52

Less than 8 .......................... 77 35 49 83 88 84 87 77 78 70

Less than 10 ........................ 87 54 70 91 94 92 92 88 85 79

Less than 12 ........................ 92 69 82 95 97 96 96 95 92 84

Less than 14 ........................ 95 83 87 98 98 98 99 97 95 88

Less than 16 ........................ 97 88 92 99 98 99 99 98 96 93

Less than 18 ........................ 98 93 94 99 99 99 100 100 97 94

Less than 20 ........................ 99 96 96 100 100 100 100 100 98 95

Less than 25 ........................ 100 99 98 100 100 100 100 100 99 98

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Pregnant women are excluded. The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the

corresponding sample size reaches the total. See table II for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 42 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 29. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over,

by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 -- -- 1

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 2 2 1 1 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 3 -- -- 2 4 4 3 2 2 2

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- -- 3 6 6 5 3 3 3

Less than 2.2 ....................... 6 -- -- 4 9 8 7 5 4 4

Less than 2.4 ....................... 8 -- -- 6 12 11 11755

Less than 2.6 ....................... 11 -- 1 8 17 15 15 10 6 6

Less than 2.8 ....................... 13 -- 1 11 22 17 18 12 9 8

Less than 3 .......................... 17 -- 1 14 28 21 21 16 12 9

Less than 3.2 ....................... 20 1 2 16 33 26 24 18 15 11

Less than 3.4 ....................... 23 1 2 18 37 30 28 20 17 12

Less than 3.6 ....................... 26 1 3 23 41 33 31 24 20 15

Less than 3.8 ....................... 29 2 4 25 45 37 36 28 23 16

Less than 4 .......................... 32 2 5 29 49 40 39 32 25 18

Less than 4.5 ....................... 40 4 8 39 57 49 48 40 30 25

Less than 5 .......................... 46 7 11 44 63 57 53 47 36 30

Less than 5.5 ....................... 51 10 16 51 69 64 59 51 41 37

Less than 6 .......................... 57 14 21 56 74 68 64 59 48 42

Less than 8 .......................... 72 32 42 75 88 82 79 73 63 57

Less than 10 ........................ 82 50 60 87 93 89 88 82 73 70

Less than 12 ........................ 89 65 76 91 96 95 92 87 83 77

Less than 14 ........................ 93 75 84 95 98 98 95 91 87 81

Less than 16 ........................ 95 84 90 97 99 99 96 94 92 86

Less than 18 ........................ 97 91 94 99 99 100 98 95 96 90

Less than 20 ........................ 98 93 95 99 100 100 99 97 97 93

Less than 25 ........................ 99 97 97 100 100 100 99 100 99 97

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 -- 1 -- -- 1

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 3 2 2 1 -- 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 3 -- 1 2 4 4 3 2 2 2

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- 1 3 7 6 5 2 2 3

Less than 2.2 ....................... 6 -- 1 4 10 9 7 5 3 3

Less than 2.4 ....................... 8 -- 1 6 12 11 11744

Less than 2.6 ....................... 11 -- 1 7 18 15 14 10 6 5

Less than 2.8 ....................... 13 -- 1 10 23 16 16 13 9 6

Less than 3 .......................... 16 -- 1 13 28 21 20 16 11 7

Less than 3.2 ....................... 19 1 2 15 33 25 22 18 14 9

Less than 3.4 ....................... 22 1 2 18 38 29 26 20 16 11

Less than 3.6 ....................... 25 1 3 22 41 32 29 24 19 13

Less than 3.8 ....................... 28 1 4 23 45 36 34 28 22 14

Less than 4 .......................... 31 1 4 28 48 39 37 31 24 17

Less than 4.5 ....................... 38 3 6 37 55 47 45 39 28 23

Less than 5 .......................... 43 6 8 42 60 56 49 47 33 28

Less than 5.5 ....................... 49 8 13 48 67 63 55 51 39 35

Less than 6 .......................... 55 12 17 53 72 67 60 57 45 40

Less than 8 .......................... 71 28 38 74 86 81 76 72 61 56

Less than 10 ........................ 81 45 55 87 92 88 87 81 71 69

Less than 12 ........................ 87 62 73 90 95 95 91 86 81 76

Less than 14 ........................ 92 73 82 94 98 98 94 91 86 80

Less than 16 ........................ 94 82 88 96 99 99 95 94 91 85

Less than 18 ........................ 97 88 93 99 99 100 97 95 95 89

Less than 20 ........................ 98 91 95 100 99 100 99 98 96 92

Less than 25 ........................ 99 96 97 100 100 100 99 100 99 97

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 43

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 29. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years and over,

by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- -- 1 2 1 1 -- 1

Less than 1.6 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 3 2 3 2 1 2

Less than 1.8 ....................... 3 -- -- 3 4 4 4 3 2 2

Less than 2 .......................... 5 -- -- 5 7 7 7 5 4 4

Less than 2.2 ....................... 8 -- -- 6 11 11 10977

Less than 2.4 ....................... 10 -- -- 8 14 15 13 10 11 10

Less than 2.6 ....................... 14 -- 2 11 18 21 22 14 14 12

Less than 2.8 ....................... 18 -- 2 13 25 25 26 18 17 16

Less than 3 .......................... 22 -- 3 15 32 31 31 21 23 18

Less than 3.2 ....................... 26 1 3 19 37 36 36 25 28 21

Less than 3.4 ....................... 29 2 4 24 41 40 38 30 31 23

Less than 3.6 ....................... 33 4 5 31 44 43 41 34 35 27

Less than 3.8 ....................... 37 4 7 35 50 48 47 41 39 30

Less than 4 .......................... 41 5 9 39 53 53 50 44 41 33

Less than 4.5 ....................... 50 6 14 50 63 63 60 54 51 44

Less than 5 .......................... 56 11 18 57 70 70 68 58 56 50

Less than 5.5 ....................... 62 16 25 63 77 76 72 64 64 55

Less than 6 .......................... 67 23 32 67 81 80 78 68 68 62

Less than 8 .......................... 82 51 53 85 93 90 91 85 81 73

Less than 10 ........................ 90 67 74 93 97 94 94 89 88 86

Less than 12 ........................ 95 81 87 97 99 96 97 95 92 92

Less than 14 ........................ 97 86 93 100 99 97 98 97 96 94

Less than 16 ........................ 98 93 95 100 99 97 99 98 97 96

Less than 18 ........................ 99 95 98 100 100 99 99 99 98 98

Less than 20 ........................ 99 97 99 100 100 99 99 99 98 99

Less than 25 ........................ 100 98 100 100 100 100 99 99 98 99

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- 1 --

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 2 1 -- 1 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 2 -- -- 1 3 3 2 3 1 3

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- -- 2 5 6 5 5 2 3

Less than 2.2 ....................... 6 -- -- 8 8 8 9 6 4 5

Less than 2.4 ....................... 8 -- 1 9 11 11 11887

Less than 2.6 ....................... 11 -- 1 12 15 15 15 10 9 8

Less than 2.8 ....................... 14 1 2 16 19 18 18 12 10 12

Less than 3 .......................... 17 1 2 19 23 22 22 17 14 18

Less than 3.2 ....................... 22 1 2 22 28 26 26 27 16 26

Less than 3.4 ....................... 24 2 4 24 33 29 30 31 20 27

Less than 3.6 ....................... 27 2 4 29 36 31 34 34 22 29

Less than 3.8 ....................... 31 2 4 33 43 33 42 38 25 33

Less than 4 .......................... 35 3 5 38 48 38 45 44 28 36

Less than 4.5 ....................... 45 5 9 48 60 49 58 50 38 44

Less than 5 .......................... 51 6 12 54 69 57 63 53 49 47

Less than 5.5 ....................... 57 10 16 60 74 63 70 58 56 53

Less than 6 .......................... 62 14 23 66 80 69 74 64 64 59

Less than 8 .......................... 78 34 46 81 91 84 89 81 78 77

Less than 10 ........................ 88 54 68 92 97 93 93 90 87 85

Less than 12 ........................ 93 66 79 95 98 96 96 96 94 90

Less than 14 ........................ 95 79 86 98 99 98 98 97 96 93

Less than 16 ........................ 97 86 92 99 99 99 100 97 96 96

Less than 18 ........................ 98 93 93 99 99 99 100 100 97 97

Less than 20 ........................ 99 97 95 100 100 99 100 100 99 98

Less than 25 ........................ 99 98 97 100 100 100 100 100 99 98

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the corresponding sample size reaches the

total. See table III for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 44 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 30. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and

over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 -- --

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 1 1 -- 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 4 4 3 2 1 1

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- -- 4 6 6 4 3 1 1

Less than 2.2 ....................... 5 -- -- 6 9 9 6 4 2 2

Less than 2.4 ....................... 7 -- -- 7 12 11 9 6 4 3

Less than 2.6 ....................... 10 -- 1 11 16 14 13853

Less than 2.8 ....................... 12 -- 1 15 18 17 16 11 6 4

Less than 3 .......................... 15 -- 1 19 22 19 19 13 8 5

Less than 3.2 ....................... 17 1 2 22 26 24 22 16 11 7

Less than 3.4 ....................... 20 1 3 25 29 27 25 19 13 9

Less than 3.6 ....................... 22 1 3 27 32 29 28 22 16 10

Less than 3.8 ....................... 25 2 5 31 35 33 31 23 18 12

Less than 4 .......................... 28 2 8 34 39 36 35 26 20 14

Less than 4.5 ....................... 35 5 12 41 48 44 43 33 25 19

Less than 5 .......................... 41 7 16 49 54 51 50 39 31 24

Less than 5.5 ....................... 47 10 22 56 61 57 55 45 36 30

Less than 6 .......................... 52 13 28 60 66 63 60 49 40 35

Less than 8 .......................... 67 27 51 77 81 74 72 64 58 50

Less than 10 ........................ 78 46 65 89 89 84 82 74 69 61

Less than 12 ........................ 85 63 78 93 93 91 88 80 76 69

Less than 14 ........................ 89 77 87 97 96 93 92 86 82 75

Less than 16 ........................ 93 85 90 98 98 96 94 91 87 82

Less than 18 ........................ 94 89 93 99 98 97 96 93 91 86

Less than 20 ........................ 96 92 95 99 99 98 97 94 93 89

Less than 25 ........................ 98 96 96 99 100 99 99 97 97 94

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 -- --

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 1 1 -- 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 4 3 2 2 1 1

Less than 2 .......................... 3 -- -- 4 7 6 4 3 1 1

Less than 2.2 ....................... 5 -- -- 5 10 8 6 4 2 2

Less than 2.4 ....................... 7 -- -- 7 13 10 9 6 3 2

Less than 2.6 ....................... 9 -- -- 10 16 13 13853

Less than 2.8 ....................... 11 -- 1 14 19 16 16 11 6 4

Less than 3 .......................... 14 -- 1 19 22 18 18 13 7 5

Less than 3.2 ....................... 16 1 1 23 26 21 20 16 10 6

Less than 3.4 ....................... 18 1 2 25 28 24 24 18 12 8

Less than 3.6 ....................... 21 1 2 27 31 26 26 21 15 9

Less than 3.8 ....................... 23 1 4 31 33 30 29 23 17 11

Less than 4 .......................... 26 2 8 34 37 33 34 25 18 13

Less than 4.5 ....................... 33 4 12 42 47 40 41 31 23 18

Less than 5 .......................... 38 5 16 46 52 46 46 37 28 23

Less than 5.5 ....................... 44 8 21 51 58 52 52 43 32 29

Less than 6 .......................... 48 10 27 55 64 58 57 47 36 33

Less than 8 .......................... 63 21 48 72 80 70 68 61 55 48

Less than 10 ........................ 75 40 61 86 88 81 80 70 67 59

Less than 12 ........................ 82 58 76 92 92 89 86 77 75 67

Less than 14 ........................ 87 72 85 96 95 92 90 84 81 73

Less than 16 ........................ 91 82 88 97 97 95 93 89 87 80

Less than 18 ........................ 93 86 92 98 98 96 95 92 90 85

Less than 20 ........................ 95 90 94 98 98 97 96 93 93 88

Less than 25 ........................ 97 94 95 99 100 99 99 97 97 93

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 45

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 30. Cumulative percent distribution of serum folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years and

over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 2 1 1 -- 1

Less than 1.6 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 3 3 3 2 -- 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 4 -- -- 3 6 7 4 2 1 1

Less than 2 .......................... 5 -- -- 5 9 8 6 5 2 3

Less than 2.2 ....................... 8 -- -- 9 13 12 7 8 4 3

Less than 2.4 ....................... 11 -- 1 13 16 17 11 10 6 4

Less than 2.6 ....................... 15 -- 1 20 22 21 16 15 8 6

Less than 2.8 ....................... 19 1 2 23 26 26 22 18 10 9

Less than 3 .......................... 23 1 3 28 30 31 27 21 13 12

Less than 3.2 ....................... 26 2 4 31 36 34 31 22 15 15

Less than 3.4 ....................... 29 3 5 37 39 39 36 24 20 18

Less than 3.6 ....................... 32 4 6 39 43 42 40 29 23 19

Less than 3.8 ....................... 36 5 8 42 47 46 44 32 27 22

Less than 4 .......................... 39 5 11 45 50 49 49 38 30 26

Less than 4.5 ....................... 48 8 16 57 59 59 58 48 38 31

Less than 5 .......................... 56 13 21 64 67 67 65 58 50 34

Less than 5.5 ....................... 62 17 29 73 74 72 72 63 57 39

Less than 6 .......................... 67 23 36 78 78 77 75 68 63 44

Less than 8 .......................... 80 41 59 91 89 88 85 79 77 65

Less than 10 ........................ 88 62 76 95 96 92 91 87 85 75

Less than 12 ........................ 93 75 86 97 98 96 95 90 89 83

Less than 14 ........................ 96 88 93 98 99 98 96 94 92 90

Less than 16 ........................ 97 92 95 98 99 99 97 97 94 93

Less than 18 ........................ 98 95 97 99 99 99 97 98 96 95

Less than 20 ........................ 98 97 98 99 100 100 98 99 96 96

Less than 25 ........................ 99 99 98 99 100 100 99 100 97 98

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 1.4 ....................... 1 -- -- -- 2 -- 1 -- -- --

Less than 1.6 ....................... 1 -- -- -- 3 1 2 -- 1 --

Less than 1.8 ....................... 2 -- -- 1 5 4 3 1 1 --

Less than 2 .......................... 4 -- -- 3 7 6 4 3 2 1

Less than 2.2 ....................... 5 -- 1 5 8 8 6 5 2 1

Less than 2.4 ....................... 7 -- 1 7 11 11 9 7 3 3

Less than 2.6 ....................... 10 -- 1 10 14 16 15756

Less than 2.8 ....................... 13 -- 1 12 18 20 20 11 7 10

Less than 3 .......................... 16 -- 2 15 24 24 24 17 11 13

Less than 3.2 ....................... 20 -- 2 18 29 27 27 21 15 15

Less than 3.4 ....................... 23 -- 4 22 32 34 30 24 20 17

Less than 3.6 ....................... 26 1 5 25 37 36 33 27 23 20

Less than 3.8 ....................... 29 1 5 28 41 39 38 29 26 22

Less than 4 .......................... 32 3 7 31 44 45 40 33 29 26

Less than 4.5 ....................... 41 6 13 43 52 53 52 37 40 33

Less than 5 .......................... 48 7 16 51 61 62 59 48 47 36

Less than 5.5 ....................... 54 10 21 58 68 69 67 54 52 41

Less than 6 .......................... 60 14 27 64 74 73 73 60 60 46

Less than 8 .......................... 76 37 52 84 84 85 86 73 78 63

Less than 10 ........................ 85 55 71 90 90 92 91 85 84 74

Less than 12 ........................ 92 73 84 95 95 96 96 94 89 78

Less than 14 ........................ 95 86 88 98 96 98 99 97 94 83

Less than 16 ........................ 97 89 92 99 97 99 99 99 95 90

Less than 18 ........................ 98 92 94 99 99 99 100 99 97 91

Less than 20 ........................ 99 96 98 100 99 100 100 100 97 92

Less than 25 ........................ 100 99 99 100 100 100 100 100 98 98

Less than 200 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Pregnant women are excluded. The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the

corresponding sample size reaches the total. See table IV for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 46 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 31. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Less than 70 ....................... 2 -- -- 2 2 2 2 1 1 1

Less than 80 ........................ 3 -- 1 4 5 3 5 2 2 2

Less than 85 ........................ 4 -- 1 6 7 4 5 3 2 3

Less than 90 ........................ 6 -- 1 9 9 6 7 4 3 3

Less than 95 ........................ 7 -- 2 12 11 7 9 6 5 4

Less than 100 ...................... 9 1 3 14 14 10 12766

Less than 110 ...................... 13 1 5 20 19 15 16 11 9 8

Less than 120 ...................... 19 3 8 27 26 22 20 15 12 11

Less than 130 ...................... 25 6 11 35 35 30 27 20 16 14

Less than 140 ...................... 31 10 15 43 43 35 31 26 21 18

Less than 150 ...................... 37 14 21 49 50 42 37 31 25 22

Less than 160 ...................... 42 19 27 56 57 48 42 36 30 26

Less than 180 ...................... 53 30 39 67 67 59 54 47 39 34

Less than 220 ...................... 70 54 63 81 82 76 71 61 55 49

Less than 260 ...................... 81 75 79 90 90 86 81 73 68 62

Less than 300 ...................... 88 86 90 95 94 92 88 80 78 72

Less than 340 ...................... 92 92 95 97 97 96 92 87 85 79

Less than 380 ...................... 95 96 97 98 99 98 94 91 89 85

Less than 420 ...................... 97 98 99 99 100 99 97 94 93 89

Less than 460 ...................... 98 98 99 100 100 100 98 96 95 93

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 1 -- --

Less than 70 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 2 1 -- 1

Less than 80 ........................ 2 -- -- 3 4 3 4 2 1 1

Less than 85 ........................ 3 -- 1 5 6 3 5 3 1 2

Less than 90 ........................ 5 -- 1 7 8 4 6 4 2 3

Less than 95 ........................ 6 -- 1 10 10 5 8 5 4 3

Less than 100 ...................... 8 -- 1 12 12 7 11655

Less than 110 ...................... 11 -- 3 17 16 12 14 10 8 6

Less than 120 ...................... 16 2 6 23 23 20 17 13 10 9

Less than 130 ...................... 22 4 9 31 31 27 24 17 14 12

Less than 140 ...................... 27 7 12 39 39 33 28 22 19 16

Less than 150 ...................... 33 10 17 45 46 39 33 28 23 20

Less than 160 ...................... 38 15 22 52 53 44 38 33 26 24

Less than 180 ...................... 48 25 34 63 63 54 49 44 36 31

Less than 220 ...................... 65 46 57 78 79 72 67 58 52 46

Less than 260 ...................... 77 70 75 88 88 84 78 69 64 60

Less than 300 ...................... 85 83 87 94 93 90 86 77 75 70

Less than 340 ...................... 91 90 94 96 97 96 90 85 83 77

Less than 380 ...................... 94 95 97 98 98 98 93 90 88 83

Less than 420 ...................... 96 97 98 99 99 99 97 93 92 88

Less than 460 ...................... 98 97 99 100 100 100 98 96 94 93

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 47

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 31. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for persons 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 3 -- -- 4 3 3 3 2 2 3

Less than 70 ....................... 5 -- 2 8 7 6 7 4 4 5

Less than 80 ........................ 9 1 3 13 12 10 12777

Less than 85 ........................ 12 1 4 15 17 13 14998

Less than 90 ........................ 15 2 6 19 20 16 18 12 12 10

Less than 95 ........................ 18 3 7 24 25 20 21 16 14 12

Less than 100 ...................... 22 4 10 28 30 24 24 19 16 14

Less than 110 ...................... 29 7 15 39 40 32 31 25 21 19

Less than 120 ...................... 37 12 20 48 48 43 40 31 26 24

Less than 130 ...................... 46 18 27 58 59 51 48 41 32 32

Less than 140 ...................... 53 25 34 67 64 57 54 48 40 36

Less than 150 ...................... 60 32 43 74 71 63 62 56 47 40

Less than 160 ...................... 66 40 51 79 78 70 66 61 54 49

Less than 180 ...................... 76 56 65 88 85 79 77 69 64 58

Less than 220 ...................... 88 80 88 95 94 90 88 79 80 73

Less than 260 ...................... 94 93 95 97 98 95 95 89 87 83

Less than 300 ...................... 97 96 98 99 99 97 97 94 93 89

Less than 340 ...................... 98 99 100 100 100 98 99 96 95 93

Less than 380 ...................... 99 99 100 100 100 99 99 97 97 95

Less than 420 ...................... 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 98 98 97

Less than 460 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 99 98

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 1 -- -- 1 1 -- 1 1 1 2

Less than 70 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 2 1 2 3

Less than 80 ........................ 3 -- -- 4 4 3 4 2 2 4

Less than 85 ........................ 4 -- 1 5 5 4 5 2 4 6

Less than 90 ........................ 5 -- 1 8 7 5 6 2 5 8

Less than 95 ........................ 7 -- 2 11 9 7 7 4 7 10

Less than 100 ...................... 10 -- 3 13 13 11 9 6 9 12

Less than 110 ...................... 14 -- 4 19 18 16 15 9 13 15

Less than 120 ...................... 20 2 7 27 25 23 22 19 17 20

Less than 130 ...................... 27 3 10 36 34 30 30 26 24 26

Less than 140 ...................... 34 6 15 43 43 39 35 29 31 32

Less than 150 ...................... 41 10 19 50 53 47 43 37 38 37

Less than 160 ...................... 48 14 24 57 61 53 50 45 46 42

Less than 180 ...................... 60 26 39 70 72 64 62 57 57 53

Less than 220 ...................... 77 55 64 84 86 79 79 72 71 71

Less than 260 ...................... 88 75 81 92 93 90 89 84 80 78

Less than 300 ...................... 93 88 92 94 96 93 94 91 87 85

Less than 340 ...................... 96 94 97 98 98 96 97 95 90 88

Less than 380 ...................... 98 98 98 99 99 99 98 98 95 94

Less than 420 ...................... 99 99 99 100 99 99 99 98 98 95

Less than 460 ...................... 99 99 100 100 100 100 99 99 98 95

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Pregnant women are excluded. The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the

corresponding sample size reaches the total. See table V for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 48 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 32. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 1 -- -- 1 1 -- 1 1 1 1

Less than 70 ....................... 1 -- -- 2 1 1 2 1 1 2

Less than 80 ........................ 3 -- -- 3 3 2 5 2 2 3

Less than 85 ........................ 4 -- 1 5 6 3 6 3 2 3

Less than 90 ........................ 5 -- 1 7 7 5 7 5 3 4

Less than 95 ........................ 7 -- 1 9 9 6 9 6 5 5

Less than 100 ...................... 8 1 2 12 12 8 11766

Less than 110 ...................... 12 1 3 17 18 12 15 12 10 8

Less than 120 ...................... 18 3 6 24 26 21 19 17 13 12

Less than 130 ...................... 25 5 8 31 33 29 27 22 17 16

Less than 140 ...................... 31 8 11 39 42 36 32 29 22 21

Less than 150 ...................... 37 12 16 45 50 42 37 35 26 25

Less than 160 ...................... 43 15 21 52 58 49 44 38 31 29

Less than 180 ...................... 54 26 33 63 69 61 56 50 42 36

Less than 220 ...................... 71 50 56 78 85 79 74 64 60 52

Less than 260 ...................... 82 74 73 89 92 89 84 75 71 65

Less than 300 ...................... 89 86 86 93 95 94 90 82 80 74

Less than 340 ...................... 94 92 94 96 98 98 94 88 87 81

Less than 380 ...................... 96 96 97 98 99 99 96 93 92 87

Less than 420 ...................... 98 97 98 99 100 100 98 95 95 90

Less than 460 ...................... 99 97 99 100 100 100 99 97 96 94

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- --

Less than 70 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 1 2 1 -- 1

Less than 80 ........................ 2 -- -- 2 3 1 5 2 1 2

Less than 85 ........................ 3 -- 1 4 5 3 5 2 1 2

Less than 90 ........................ 4 -- 1 5 6 4 6 4 2 3

Less than 95 ........................ 5 -- 1 7 8 4 8 5 4 3

Less than 100 ...................... 7 -- 1 10 10 6 10654

Less than 110 ...................... 10 -- 2 14 14 10 13 11 8 6

Less than 120 ...................... 16 2 4 21 22 19 16 15 11 10

Less than 130 ...................... 22 5 6 27 29 27 23 20 15 14

Less than 140 ...................... 27 7 8 35 38 34 28 26 20 18

Less than 150 ...................... 33 10 12 40 44 39 33 32 24 22

Less than 160 ...................... 38 13 15 48 52 45 39 35 28 26

Less than 180 ...................... 50 21 27 59 64 57 51 48 39 34

Less than 220 ...................... 68 44 50 74 81 77 71 62 57 49

Less than 260 ...................... 79 70 68 86 90 88 81 73 68 63

Less than 300 ...................... 87 83 83 91 94 93 89 79 78 72

Less than 340 ...................... 92 91 93 95 97 97 93 86 86 80

Less than 380 ...................... 95 95 96 97 98 99 95 91 91 86

Less than 420 ...................... 97 96 97 99 100 100 98 94 94 90

Less than 460 ...................... 98 97 98 100 100 100 99 96 96 93

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 49

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 32. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for males 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 2 -- -- 3 2 2 3 4 2 4

Less than 70 ....................... 4 -- 1 5 5 4 6 4 5 5

Less than 80 ........................ 8 1 2 9 9 7 12798

Less than 85 ........................ 10 1 3 10 15 9 14 8 11 9

Less than 90 ........................ 13 1 3 15 18 13 18 11 14 11

Less than 95 ........................ 16 2 3 19 21 16 21 14 16 13

Less than 100 ...................... 19 3 5 24 26 20 24 17 18 16

Less than 110 ...................... 27 4 10 34 37 27 34 22 25 21

Less than 120 ...................... 36 8 15 44 46 40 43 32 29 27

Less than 130 ...................... 44 11 22 55 55 50 52 40 37 34

Less than 140 ...................... 51 19 28 62 62 57 59 48 46 40

Less than 150 ...................... 59 25 37 70 71 63 66 57 52 45

Less than 160 ...................... 66 33 46 76 77 70 72 62 58 51

Less than 180 ...................... 76 50 60 86 85 80 82 71 66 62

Less than 220 ...................... 89 76 85 94 96 90 92 82 78 74

Less than 260 ...................... 95 91 93 96 99 97 98 91 85 86

Less than 300 ...................... 97 95 98 99 100 98 98 95 91 92

Less than 340 ...................... 99 99 99 100 100 99 100 97 95 96

Less than 380 ...................... 99 99 100 100 100 100 100 98 97 98

Less than 420 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 98 98 100

Less than 460 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 98 100

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- 1 -- --

Less than 70 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 1 1 2 1 2 1

Less than 80 ........................ 3 -- -- 4 3 2 4 2 2 4

Less than 85 ........................ 4 -- 1 5 5 3 6 2 4 6

Less than 90 ........................ 5 -- 1 9 6 5 6 3 6 8

Less than 95 ........................ 7 -- 1 12 9 7 7 5 8 11

Less than 100 ...................... 10 -- 2 14 13 10 10 6 10 13

Less than 110 ...................... 14 -- 3 20 17 15 17 10 14 17

Less than 120 ...................... 20 1 4 28 25 22 24 22 17 23

Less than 130 ...................... 27 2 6 37 34 29 31 26 24 27

Less than 140 ...................... 34 5 10 43 43 38 37 28 30 36

Less than 150 ...................... 42 7 15 50 55 47 45 35 34 39

Less than 160 ...................... 49 11 19 55 65 54 51 43 46 45

Less than 180 ...................... 61 22 32 70 75 65 61 55 59 55

Less than 220 ...................... 78 49 56 85 90 82 77 68 73 74

Less than 260 ...................... 88 72 75 93 95 92 87 82 81 80

Less than 300 ...................... 93 86 86 95 99 94 94 90 86 87

Less than 340 ...................... 97 94 95 98 99 96 97 94 90 90

Less than 380 ...................... 98 98 96 100 100 99 98 97 93 96

Less than 420 ...................... 99 98 98 100 100 99 99 97 97 96

Less than 460 ...................... 100 99 100 100 100 100 99 99 98 97

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the corresponding sample size reaches the

total. See table VI for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 50 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 33. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Less than 70 ....................... 2 -- -- 3 3 2 2 1 1 1

Less than 80 ........................ 4 -- 1 5 6 5 4 2 2 2

Less than 85 ........................ 5 -- 2 8 8 6 5 3 2 3

Less than 90 ........................ 6 -- 2 11 11 7 7 4 4 3

Less than 95 ........................ 8 1 3 14 13 8 10654

Less than 100 ...................... 10 1 4 17 15 11 12766

Less than 110 ...................... 14 2 6 22 20 17 16 10 9 8

Less than 120 ...................... 19 4 11 30 26 24 20 13 11 11

Less than 130 ...................... 26 8 15 39 36 30 27 18 15 13

Less than 140 ...................... 31 12 20 47 43 35 31 23 20 17

Less than 150 ...................... 37 16 26 54 50 42 36 28 25 20

Less than 160 ...................... 42 22 33 60 56 47 41 34 28 24

Less than 180 ...................... 52 35 46 71 66 56 52 45 37 32

Less than 220 ...................... 68 57 70 85 79 72 67 59 52 48

Less than 260 ...................... 79 76 85 92 88 83 78 70 64 61

Less than 300 ...................... 86 86 93 97 93 89 85 77 76 71

Less than 340 ...................... 91 92 96 98 97 95 89 86 82 77

Less than 380 ...................... 94 97 98 99 99 98 93 89 87 83

Less than 420 ...................... 96 98 100 99 99 99 96 92 91 88

Less than 460 ...................... 98 99 100 100 100 100 97 96 94 92

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 -- -- --

Less than 70 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 1 1 -- 1

Less than 80 ........................ 3 -- 1 4 5 4 4 2 1 1

Less than 85 ........................ 4 -- 1 7 6 4 4 3 1 2

Less than 90 ........................ 5 -- 1 9 10 5 6 3 3 2

Less than 95 ........................ 7 -- 1 13 12 6 9 4 3 3

Less than 100 ...................... 9 -- 1 15 14 8 12655

Less than 110 ...................... 12 -- 3 19 17 14 15877

Less than 120 ...................... 16 1 8 26 24 20 18 11 9 9

Less than 130 ...................... 22 3 12 35 33 27 24 15 14 12

Less than 140 ...................... 27 7 16 43 41 32 27 20 18 15

Less than 150 ...................... 33 10 23 51 49 40 33 24 21 18

Less than 160 ...................... 38 17 29 57 53 44 38 30 25 22

Less than 180 ...................... 47 30 40 67 63 52 47 41 32 29

Less than 220 ...................... 63 47 64 82 77 68 62 54 47 44

Less than 260 ...................... 75 69 82 91 87 80 74 67 61 58

Less than 300 ...................... 83 83 91 97 92 87 82 75 73 68

Less than 340 ...................... 89 90 95 98 96 94 88 84 80 76

Less than 380 ...................... 93 95 98 99 98 98 92 88 85 81

Less than 420 ...................... 95 98 100 99 99 99 95 92 90 88

Less than 460 ...................... 97 98 100 100 100 100 97 96 92 92

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 51

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 33. Cumulative percent distribution of red blood cell folate in nanograms per milliliter for females 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity and age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 3 -- -- 5 4 5 3 1 2 2

Less than 70 ....................... 7 1 2 10977445

Less than 80 ........................ 11 1 5 16 15 13 11767

Less than 85 ........................ 13 2 6 20 19 16 13988

Less than 90 ........................ 17 3 8 24 23 18 17 14 10 9

Less than 95 ........................ 20 4 10 28 28 22 21 17 12 11

Less than 100 ...................... 24 6 14 32 35 28 23 21 14 13

Less than 110 ...................... 32 11 19 43 43 37 29 26 18 18

Less than 120 ...................... 39 17 26 53 50 45 37 30 23 23

Less than 130 ...................... 47 25 32 62 62 51 45 41 28 31

Less than 140 ...................... 54 33 41 73 67 56 50 48 36 33

Less than 150 ...................... 60 41 49 77 72 64 58 54 45 37

Less than 160 ...................... 66 49 56 82 79 69 61 60 52 47

Less than 180 ...................... 75 63 70 90 85 78 72 67 64 55

Less than 220 ...................... 88 85 90 96 93 89 85 77 82 72

Less than 260 ...................... 94 95 96 98 97 94 93 88 89 82

Less than 300 ...................... 97 97 99 99 99 96 96 93 94 87

Less than 340 ...................... 98 99 100 100 100 98 98 95 95 92

Less than 380 ...................... 99 99 100 100 100 99 99 97 98 93

Less than 420 ...................... 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 99 95

Less than 460 ...................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 96

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 60 ........................ 1 -- -- 1 1 -- 1 -- 1 3

Less than 70 ....................... 1 -- -- 1 2 1 2 1 2 4

Less than 80 ........................ 3 -- -- 4 4 3 4 1 2 5

Less than 85 ........................ 4 -- 1 5 6 5 5 2 3 6

Less than 90 ........................ 5 -- 1 6 8 5 6 2 4 8

Less than 95 ........................ 7 -- 3 10 10 8 7 4 6 9

Less than 100 ...................... 9 -- 4 13 14 12 8 6 8 10

Less than 110 ...................... 14 1 5 19 20 17 14 9 12 13

Less than 120 ...................... 20 2 9 27 24 23 21 16 16 18

Less than 130 ...................... 28 5 14 35 35 31 29 26 23 25

Less than 140 ...................... 34 7 19 42 42 41 32 30 32 29

Less than 150 ...................... 41 12 23 50 49 47 42 38 40 35

Less than 160 ...................... 47 17 29 58 55 51 48 46 45 39

Less than 180 ...................... 60 31 45 71 68 63 63 59 55 51

Less than 220 ...................... 77 60 72 84 81 77 80 75 70 68

Less than 260 ...................... 87 78 87 91 89 87 90 86 79 76

Less than 300 ...................... 93 89 97 94 93 92 94 91 87 82

Less than 340 ...................... 96 95 99 97 95 95 97 96 91 86

Less than 380 ...................... 98 98 99 99 98 99 99 98 96 92

Less than 420 ...................... 99 99 100 100 98 99 99 98 98 93

Less than 460 ...................... 99 99 100 100 99 100 99 98 99 93

Less than 1,760.................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Pregnant women are excluded. The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the

corresponding sample size reaches the total. See table VII for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 52 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 34. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for persons 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity, and age: United States, 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 1

Less than 150 ...................... 1 -- -- -- 1 1 1 2 1 3

Less than 200 ...................... 3 -- -- 1 3 2 4 4 4 6

Less than 250 ...................... 7 1 -- 3 8 6 8 9 12 13

Less than 300 ...................... 14 1 1 7 17 13 17 17 22 23

Less than 350 ...................... 24 2 3 16 28 27 29 26 33 35

Less than 400 ...................... 36 5 7 28 38 41 42 39 45 47

Less than 450 ...................... 46 9 11 41 50 51 54 51 55 56

Less than 500 ...................... 57 14 18 53 63 61 67 60 65 66

Less than 600 ...................... 73 28 39 72 80 78 81 77 79 78

Less than 650 ...................... 79 36 50 79 85 85 86 83 84 82

Less than 700 ...................... 84 42 60 84 90 90 89 88 88 85

Less than 750 ...................... 88 50 66 87 93 93 92 91 90 89

Less than 800 ...................... 91 57 73 91 96 95 94 93 93 91

Less than 850 ...................... 93 66 79 93 97 96 96 94 94 93

Less than 900 ...................... 94 71 83 95 98 97 97 95 95 94

Less than 950 ...................... 96 76 87 97 99 97 98 97 96 95

Less than 1,000 ................... 97 82 89 97 99 98 98 97 97 96

Less than 1,500 ................... 99 99 99 100 100 100 99 99 99 99

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 99

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1

Less than 150 ...................... 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 1 3

Less than 200 ...................... 2 -- -- 1 3 1 3 3 4 6

Less than 250 ...................... 7 2 -- 3 8 6 8 8 13 14

Less than 300 ...................... 15 2 -- 7 18 13 19 17 24 24

Less than 350 ...................... 27 3 3 17 30 29 32 26 36 37

Less than 400 ...................... 39 8 8 31 40 45 46 41 49 49

Less than 450 ...................... 51 12 13 45 53 56 59 54 59 58

Less than 500 ...................... 61 20 21 56 67 65 72 63 69 68

Less than 600 ...................... 77 34 45 76 84 81 85 78 82 80

Less than 650 ...................... 83 39 59 81 89 88 90 85 88 83

Less than 700 ...................... 88 47 68 86 95 92 92 90 91 87

Less than 750 ...................... 91 57 73 89 96 94 94 93 92 91

Less than 800 ...................... 93 64 79 92 98 96 96 95 95 92

Less than 850 ...................... 95 70 83 94 99 97 97 95 95 94

Less than 900 ...................... 96 76 86 97 100 98 98 96 96 95

Less than 950 ...................... 97 80 90 97 100 99 98 97 97 96

Less than 1,000 ................... 98 86 92 98 100 99 99 98 98 97

Less than 1,500 ................... 100 99 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 99

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 53

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 34. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for persons 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity, and age: United States, 1991-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 150 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Less than 200 ...................... 1 -- -- -- 1 1 2 1 1 2

Less than 250 ...................... 3 -- -- 1 3 4 4 4 3 7

Less than 300 ...................... 6 1 -- 4 7 9 7 8 9 14

Less than 350 ...................... 13 1 1 9 15 17 13 16 17 22

Less than 400 ...................... 20 3 4 16 26 27 20 25 24 30

Less than 450 ...................... 30 6 5 25 36 39 32 34 36 43

Less than 500 ...................... 38 7 10 34 45 46 44 41 42 51

Less than 600 ...................... 56 18 22 55 65 66 63 61 56 67

Less than 650 ...................... 63 24 31 64 74 72 70 68 63 72

Less than 700 ...................... 70 30 36 71 78 80 78 75 70 77

Less than 750 ...................... 75 34 46 77 83 85 82 79 76 81

Less than 800 ...................... 81 42 55 82 89 89 87 85 81 84

Less than 850 ...................... 85 56 63 87 92 92 91 90 84 86

Less than 900 ...................... 88 62 69 91 94 93 92 93 87 89

Less than 950 ...................... 91 67 76 92 96 95 94 95 91 90

Less than 1,000 ................... 92 72 80 94 97 96 95 96 91 93

Less than 1,500 ................... 99 95 97 99 99 100 99 99 99 98

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 --

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 2 1

Less than 150 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 3 5

Less than 200 ...................... 2 -- 1 1 1 2 2 1 4 11

Less than 250 ...................... 4 -- 1 3 6 5 5 5 8 15

Less than 300 ...................... 10 1 2 8 15 9 10 13 17 26

Less than 350 ...................... 19 1 2 18 29 20 19 18 30 35

Less than 400 ...................... 29 2 3 31 42 30 33 30 41 42

Less than 450 ...................... 40 5 6 42 52 44 48 47 50 52

Less than 500 ...................... 50 9 11 54 63 57 60 62 61 57

Less than 600 ...................... 66 24 24 69 79 77 75 74 77 69

Less than 650 ...................... 72 33 31 76 84 82 80 79 80 75

Less than 700 ...................... 77 41 41 83 88 85 86 84 82 77

Less than 750 ...................... 82 47 52 88 92 88 89 87 85 80

Less than 800 ...................... 86 56 66 91 94 91 92 89 88 81

Less than 850 ...................... 89 65 71 94 95 93 93 90 90 82

Less than 900 ...................... 91 70 77 94 96 95 94 91 92 86

Less than 950 ...................... 92 77 80 96 96 95 95 92 94 86

Less than 1,000 ................... 94 81 85 97 98 95 95 92 95 87

Less than 1,500 ................... 98 98 100 100 99 97 97 96 98 90

Less than 2,000 ................... 99 100 100 100 100 98 99 98 98 93

Less than 4,000 ................... 99 100 100 100 100 99 99 99 99 95

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Pregnant women are excluded. The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the

corresponding sample size reaches the total. See table VIII for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 54 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 35. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for males 4 years and

over, by race-ethnicity, and age: United States, 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1

Less than 100 ...................... 1 -- -- -- 1 -- -- 2 1 1

Less than 150 ...................... 1 -- -- -- 1 1 -- 3 2 3

Less than 200 ...................... 3 -- -- 1 3 2 2 5 5 6

Less than 250 ...................... 7 2 -- 3 5 5 7 10 15 16

Less than 300 ...................... 13 2 -- 6 14 11 16 19 27 24

Less than 350 ...................... 23 2 1 15 24 24 28 28 38 41

Less than 400 ...................... 35 7 5 27 35 37 41 40 51 53

Less than 450 ...................... 46 12 8 40 47 49 56 55 63 64

Less than 500 ...................... 57 17 14 52 62 59 70 63 71 74

Less than 600 ...................... 75 30 36 74 82 78 86 80 83 84

Less than 650 ...................... 81 37 46 81 87 86 90 86 89 86

Less than 700 ...................... 86 42 56 86 91 91 92 90 92 88

Less than 750 ...................... 89 53 62 89 93 94 94 93 93 91

Less than 800 ...................... 91 62 70 92 97 94 96 94 93 92

Less than 850 ...................... 93 70 78 94 98 95 96 94 95 94

Less than 900 ...................... 94 74 81 97 98 96 97 96 96 95

Less than 950 ...................... 96 78 87 98 99 97 98 97 97 95

Less than 1,000 ................... 97 84 89 98 99 98 99 97 98 97

Less than 1,500 ................... 100 98 99 100 100 100 100 99 100 99

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 1

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 1

Less than 150 ...................... 1 -- -- 1 -- -- -- 1 2 3

Less than 200 ...................... 2 -- -- 1 1 1 2 4 5 7

Less than 250 ...................... 7 3 -- 3 3 5 7 8 16 18

Less than 300 ...................... 14 3 -- 6 13 11 16 19 30 26

Less than 350 ...................... 25 3 1 13 25 26 30 28 41 44

Less than 400 ...................... 38 11 4 27 35 41 44 42 56 56

Less than 450 ...................... 51 16 8 42 48 54 59 59 68 66

Less than 500 ...................... 62 24 16 54 65 65 73 66 77 77

Less than 600 ...................... 80 38 40 77 86 83 89 81 87 87

Less than 650 ...................... 85 44 52 83 89 90 92 88 94 88

Less than 700 ...................... 89 48 62 88 94 94 94 92 95 90

Less than 750 ...................... 92 63 68 90 95 97 95 96 95 93

Less than 800 ...................... 94 71 75 94 98 97 96 96 96 94

Less than 850 ...................... 95 74 82 95 99 97 97 97 97 96

Less than 900 ...................... 96 77 83 98 99 97 98 98 98 96

Less than 950 ...................... 97 81 89 98 100 98 99 98 98 96

Less than 1,000 ................... 98 87 92 98 100 99 99 98 99 98

Less than 1,500 ................... 100 98 99 100 100 99 100 100 100 100

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 55

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 35. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for males 4 years and

over, by race-ethnicity, and age: United States, 1991-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 150 ...................... -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- --

Less than 200 ...................... 1 1 -- -- 1 -- 2 1 1 1

Less than 250 ...................... 3 1 -- 2 3 2 7 2 5 3

Less than 300 ...................... 6 1 1 5 7 6 10 7 10 11

Less than 350 ...................... 12 2 2 11 13 13 17 18 21 19

Less than 400 ...................... 21 4 5 19 23 24 25 27 31 28

Less than 450 ...................... 30 7 6 28 35 35 38 38 40 45

Less than 500 ...................... 38 9 9 38 43 40 51 47 49 58

Less than 600 ...................... 55 16 20 59 64 61 63 66 61 73

Less than 650 ...................... 62 24 28 67 72 68 69 72 66 78

Less than 700 ...................... 70 33 34 76 76 78 77 80 76 84

Less than 750 ...................... 75 36 44 82 80 84 82 82 81 87

Less than 800 ...................... 81 45 55 86 87 89 87 86 84 88

Less than 850 ...................... 86 64 64 90 91 91 90 91 86 90

Less than 900 ...................... 88 68 70 93 93 92 92 93 90 93

Less than 950 ...................... 91 72 79 94 95 96 94 94 93 93

Less than 1,000 ................... 93 74 82 96 96 96 95 96 94 94

Less than 1,500 ................... 99 97 98 99 99 100 98 100 98 98

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- --

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1

Less than 150 ...................... 1 -- -- -- -- 1 1 1 -- 7

Less than 200 ...................... 2 -- -- 1 1 2 4 1 2 11

Less than 250 ...................... 5 -- -- 5 5 5 6 4 7 15

Less than 300 ...................... 10 1 -- 10 13 8 15 11 22 30

Less than 350 ...................... 20 1 1 21 27 20 24 15 34 42

Less than 400 ...................... 30 2 2 33 41 28 39 25 47 48

Less than 450 ...................... 42 6 6 45 53 46 58 42 57 59

Less than 500 ...................... 53 11 10 57 63 62 68 64 67 66

Less than 600 ...................... 68 22 19 72 79 80 83 77 81 77

Less than 650 ...................... 73 31 27 78 85 85 85 81 82 84

Less than 700 ...................... 78 42 37 84 88 87 91 85 85 85

Less than 750 ...................... 83 51 44 88 94 90 93 88 87 87

Less than 800 ...................... 87 56 60 91 95 94 94 90 87 89

Less than 850 ...................... 90 70 67 95 96 97 94 90 88 89

Less than 900 ...................... 92 73 76 95 97 98 95 91 90 91

Less than 950 ...................... 93 79 79 97 97 98 96 92 92 91

Less than 1,000 ................... 95 85 84 99 99 98 96 92 92 93

Less than 1,500 ................... 99 99 99 100 100 99 97 93 98 94

Less than 2,000 ................... 99 100 100 100 100 100 99 96 98 95

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 98 99 95

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the corresponding sample size reaches the

total. See table IX for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 56 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table 36. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for females 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity, and age: United States, 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1

Less than 150 ...................... 1 -- -- -- 1 1 2 1 1 3

Less than 200 ...................... 3 -- -- -- 3 2 5 2 3 6

Less than 250 ...................... 7 -- -- 2 11 6 9 8 10 11

Less than 300 ...................... 15 -- 1 8 21 14 19 16 17 22

Less than 350 ...................... 25 2 4 17 32 30 29 24 29 32

Less than 400 ...................... 37 3 9 29 42 45 42 38 40 43

Less than 450 ...................... 46 6 14 42 54 53 53 47 49 52

Less than 500 ...................... 56 11 22 54 64 62 64 58 60 61

Less than 600 ...................... 71 27 42 70 78 77 76 74 75 74

Less than 650 ...................... 78 34 55 76 84 84 82 81 80 79

Less than 700 ...................... 83 42 65 81 89 89 86 86 84 83

Less than 750 ...................... 87 47 71 86 93 92 90 90 88 88

Less than 800 ...................... 90 53 76 89 95 95 92 93 92 90

Less than 850 ...................... 92 61 80 92 97 96 96 94 93 92

Less than 900 ...................... 94 69 85 94 98 98 96 95 94 93

Less than 950 ...................... 95 74 87 95 99 98 97 97 95 95

Less than 1,000 ................... 96 80 89 96 99 98 97 98 96 96

Less than 1,500 ................... 99 99 98 100 100 100 99 99 99 99

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 99

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1

Less than 150 ...................... 1 -- -- -- 1 -- 2 1 1 3

Less than 200 ...................... 3 -- -- -- 4 1 4 2 3 6

Less than 250 ...................... 8 -- -- 3 14 6 10 8 11 12

Less than 300 ...................... 16 -- 1 9 23 15 22 16 18 22

Less than 350 ...................... 28 4 4 22 36 32 34 24 31 33

Less than 400 ...................... 41 5 12 35 45 49 48 41 43 44

Less than 450 ...................... 51 8 18 48 59 57 59 49 51 53

Less than 500 ...................... 60 15 27 58 69 64 71 61 63 62

Less than 600 ...................... 75 31 50 74 82 79 81 76 78 75

Less than 650 ...................... 82 34 67 79 88 86 87 83 83 80

Less than 700 ...................... 87 46 75 84 95 90 90 88 88 84

Less than 750 ...................... 90 51 79 88 97 92 94 91 90 89

Less than 800 ...................... 93 56 83 91 99 96 95 93 94 91

Less than 850 ...................... 94 66 85 93 99 97 97 94 94 93

Less than 900 ...................... 96 75 90 94 100 99 97 95 95 94

Less than 950 ...................... 97 79 90 96 100 99 97 97 96 96

Less than 1,000 ................... 97 84 92 97 100 99 98 98 97 97

Less than 1,500 ................... 99 100 98 100 100 100 99 100 99 99

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 99

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 57

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 36. Cumulative percent distribution of serum vitamin B12 in picograms per milliliter for females 4 years

and over, by race-ethnicity, and age: United States, 1991-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 150 ...................... -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- -- 1 2

Less than 200 ...................... 1 -- -- -- 1 2 1 1 2 3

Less than 250 ...................... 3 -- -- 1 2 6 1 5 3 9

Less than 300 ...................... 6 -- -- 3 6 11 5 9 9 16

Less than 350 ...................... 13 1 1 6 17 20 10 15 14 24

Less than 400 ...................... 20 2 3 13 28 29 16 23 20 32

Less than 450 ...................... 29 4 5 23 37 41 27 29 33 41

Less than 500 ...................... 37 6 10 31 46 52 39 36 37 48

Less than 600 ...................... 56 19 24 51 65 71 62 57 53 64

Less than 650 ...................... 64 24 34 61 75 76 71 64 61 67

Less than 700 ...................... 69 26 39 66 80 82 78 71 66 72

Less than 750 ...................... 75 31 47 72 85 86 82 77 73 78

Less than 800 ...................... 80 37 54 78 90 88 87 85 78 82

Less than 850 ...................... 85 46 62 84 93 92 91 90 82 83

Less than 900 ...................... 88 54 69 88 95 93 93 92 85 86

Less than 950 ...................... 90 62 74 90 97 95 94 96 89 89

Less than 1,000 ................... 91 69 78 92 97 95 94 97 89 92

Less than 1,500 ................... 99 94 96 99 100 100 99 99 99 99

Less than 2,000 ................... 100 98 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 100

Less than 4,000 ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 1

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3 1

Less than 150 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5 2

Less than 200 ...................... 2 -- 2 1 2 2 1 2 5 10

Less than 250 ...................... 4 -- 2 1 7 5 2 5 9 16

Less than 300 ...................... 10 -- 3 7 17 10 5 14 14 22

Less than 350 ...................... 18 -- 4 15 30 22 15 20 27 28

Less than 400 ...................... 28 2 5 29 43 32 27 36 35 38

Less than 450 ...................... 36 3 5 39 51 41 38 51 45 45

Less than 500 ...................... 47 7 13 51 62 52 52 59 57 49

Less than 600 ...................... 64 27 30 67 80 74 67 70 73 63

Less than 650 ...................... 70 34 34 75 83 79 76 77 78 68

Less than 700 ...................... 75 40 46 82 87 82 80 82 80 70

Less than 750 ...................... 81 42 60 87 90 86 84 87 84 73

Less than 800 ...................... 85 56 73 92 92 88 89 89 88 74

Less than 850 ...................... 88 60 75 94 94 89 91 90 92 76

Less than 900 ...................... 90 67 78 94 95 91 93 91 93 81

Less than 950 ...................... 91 75 82 95 95 92 94 92 96 81

Less than 1,000 ................... 92 77 86 96 96 92 94 92 96 82

Less than 1,500 ................... 98 97 100 100 99 95 97 98 98 87

Less than 2,000 ................... 99 99 100 100 99 96 98 99 99 92

Less than 4,000 ................... 99 100 100 100 100 97 99 99 99 94

Less than 100,000 ............... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTES: Pregnant women are excluded. The percents are rounded to the nearest whole number, so a particular age group (column) may achieve 100 percent before the

corresponding sample size reaches the total. See table X for corresponding sample sizes.

Page 58 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table I. Geometric means and 95 percent confidence intervals for serum vitamin B12 for persons 4 years and over by sex, age, and

race-ethnicity: United States, 1991–94

Sex and age

All race-ethnicities Non-Hispanic white

Confidence level Confidence level

Sample

Size

Transformed

Mean

Lower

95 percent

Upper

95 percent

Sample

Size

Transformed

Mean

Lower

95 percent

Upper

95 percent

4–5 years . . . . . . . . . . 877 734 701 767 214 693 649 740

6–11 years ......... 1,327 661 638 684 305 631 600 664

12–19 years ........ 1,562 493 476 510 326 478 454 503

20–29 years ........ 1,622 432 417 447 405 417 398 436

30–39 years ........ 1,649 447 431 462 467 433 415 451

40–49 years ........ 1,267 430 412 448 418 413 393 433

50–59 years . . . . . . . . 879 441 418 466 403 435 414 458

60–69 years ........ 1,130 424 404 446 476 408 387 429

70 years and over ..... 1,534 418 398 438 1,056 406 390 423

Male

4–5 years . . . . . . . . . . 441 712 669 758 100 666 607 731

6–11 years . . . . . . . . . 687 681 653 709 159 659 622 699

12–19 years . . . . . . . . 734 488 467 510 145 479 447 513

20–29 years . . . . . . . . 747 440 421 461 176 435 412 460

30–39 years . . . . . . . . 686 452 431 474 170 435 409 462

40–49 years . . . . . . . . 557 425 404 448 179 415 391 439

50–59 years . . . . . . . . 354 426 392 463 152 422 393 453

60–69 yrs . . . . . . . . . . 572 396 371 421 245 376 353 400

70 years and over . . . . . 652 390 364 417 420 374 354 396

Female

4–5 years . . . . . . . . . . 436 757 717 799 114 724 669 784

6–11 years . . . . . . . . . 640 641 610 673 146 604 559 652

12–19 years . . . . . . . . 828 498 477 520 181 477 445 511

20–29 years . . . . . . . . 875 423 403 443 229 398 373 424

30–39 years . . . . . . . . 963 441 422 460 297 431 409 454

40–49 years . . . . . . . . 710 434 411 460 239 411 383 440

50–59 years . . . . . . . . 525 456 428 485 251 449 421 479

60–69 years . . . . . . . . 558 451 422 481 231 437 407 470

70 years and over . . . . . 882 437 412 464 636 428 407 451

See footnotes at end of table.

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 59

Appendix I

Serum Vitamin B12

Geometric Means and

Confidence Intervals
Table I. Geometric means and 95 percent confidence intervals for serum vitamin B12 for persons 4 years and over by sex, age, and

race-ethnicity: United States, 1991–94—Con.

Sex and age

Non-Hispanic black Mexican American

Confidence level Confidence level

Sample

size

Transformed

Mean

Lower

95 percent

Upper

95 percent

Sample

Size

Transformed

Mean

Lower

95 percent

Upper

95 percent

4–5 years . . . . . . . . . . 300 823 785 864 308 757 719 797

6–11 years . . . . . . . . . 575 763 739 787 376 724 690 759

12–19 years . . . . . . . . 653 572 555 591 491 492 468 516

20–29 years . . . . . . . . 540 516 498 534 594 443 423 464

30–39 years . . . . . . . . 627 508 491 525 474 488 457 521

40–49 years . . . . . . . . 434 531 509 554 364 483 448 520

50–59 years . . . . . . . . 241 526 497 556 173 491 437 552

60–69 years . . . . . . . . 272 548 517 581 327 451 410 495

70 years and over . . . . . 223 498 465 533 202 497 417 592

Male

4–5 years . . . . . . . . . . 157 794 739 854 158 735 692 780

6–11 years . . . . . . . . . 288 756 722 791 199 751 713 791

12–19 years . . . . . . . . 307 551 526 578 244 475 446 505

20–29 years . . . . . . . . 227 525 497 555 306 443 419 468

30–39 years . . . . . . . . 258 530 504 556 228 463 434 494

40–49 years . . . . . . . . 169 510 472 551 190 443 408 482

50–59 years . . . . . . . . 102 510 469 553 81 502 424 593

60–69 yrs . . . . . . . . . . 137 513 473 557 167 445 401 494

70 years and over . . . . . 109 490 450 534 103 432 356 526

Female

4–5 years . . . . . . . . . . 143 858 809 910 150 781 727 840

6–11 years . . . . . . . . . 287 770 739 802 177 696 650 746

12–19 years . . . . . . . . 346 595 571 619 247 509 478 542

20–29 years . . . . . . . . 313 508 486 530 288 443 415 472

30–39 years . . . . . . . . 369 489 469 511 246 521 469 578

40–49 years . . . . . . . . 265 547 523 573 174 529 476 589

50–59 years . . . . . . . . 139 540 503 580 92 481 420 551

60–69 years . . . . . . . . 135 573 531 619 160 455 399 520

70 years and over . . . . . 114 503 457 554 99 565 442 723

NOTE: The skewness in the distribution for Mexican Americans was investigated in detail. The Quanta Phase II kit (Bio Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA) identifies the upper bound of the normal range

for serum B12 as 1,600 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). The authors arbitrarily defined a cutpoint of 2,500 picograms per milliter to select cases for detailed investigation. There were 52 persons whose

serum B12 concentration fell above this cutpoint. The maximum value measured was greater than 100,000 pg/mL. Approximately 80 percent of these persons were Mexican Americans. Addittional data

were examined for these persons, including information on use of dietary supplements containing any amount of vitamin B12, specific reports of vitamin injections, and hematologic data that might

indicate a condition for which someone may have been given a vitamin B12 injection or a dietary supplement containing vitamin B12. All of these data combined did not explain the elevated serum B12

cases. Approximately 70 percent of the participants with elevated serum B12 resided in locations close to the Mexican border. There is some anecdotal evidence that some of these people might have

been receiving injections of vitamin B12.

Page 60 [ Series 11, No. 243
Appendix II

Sample Sizes for

Tables 28–36

Table II. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 23,378 1,742 2,885 2,896 3,135 3,077 2,473 1,795 2,254 3,121

Less than 1.4 ....................... 127 -- 1 14 31 24 21 11 9 16

Less than 1.6 ....................... 267 -- 1 32 75 54 43 21 14 27

Less than 1.8 ....................... 507 -- 3 58 132 119 76 44 35 40

Less than 2 .......................... 818 -- 5 98 205 189 128 68 57 68

Less than 2.2 ....................... 1,217 1 10 170 292 272 191 99 88 94

Less than 2.4 ....................... 1,684 3 17 236 389 372 267 138 126 136

Less than 2.6 ....................... 2,291 3 29 330 508 507 394 180 163 177

Less than 2.8 ....................... 2,899 8 39 416 646 618 489 234 214 235

Less than 3 .......................... 3,587 9 65 511 798 738 594 293 284 295

Less than 3.2 ....................... 4,302 19 86 599 959 885 685 351 356 362

Less than 3.4 ....................... 4,956 30 116 704 1,080 1,006 785 400 424 411

Less than 3.6 ....................... 5,574 40 144 811 1,199 1,103 863 460 487 467

Less than 3.8 ....................... 6,305 51 190 909 1,348 1,217 984 511 555 540

Less than 4 .......................... 7,033 65 247 1,022 1,474 1,331 1,082 586 616 610

Less than 4.5 ....................... 8,800 109 370 1,312 1,756 1,622 1,320 730 782 799

Less than 5 .......................... 10,251 159 501 1,510 1,999 1,860 1,488 856 931 947

Less than 5.5 ....................... 11,641 226 682 1,711 2,186 2,049 1,640 945 1,069 1,133

Less than 6 .......................... 12,904 315 868 1,865 2,351 2,195 1,759 1,051 1,203 1,297

Less than 8 .......................... 16,628 669 1,533 2,373 2,750 2,565 2,071 1,319 1,560 1,788

Less than 10 ........................ 19,029 1,009 2,060 2,641 2,933 2,777 2,224 1,481 1,760 2,144

Less than 12 ........................ 20,539 1,254 2,418 2,756 3,019 2,911 2,320 1,584 1,907 2,370

Less than 14 ........................ 21,489 1,447 2,619 2,827 3,064 2,970 2,378 1,657 1,999 2,528

Less than 16 ........................ 22,087 1,548 2,721 2,854 3,085 3,013 2,405 1,711 2,074 2,676

Less than 18 ........................ 22,482 1,619 2,784 2,870 3,106 3,033 2,423 1,732 2,134 2,781

Less than 20 ........................ 22,728 1,665 2,817 2,876 3,115 3,048 2,439 1,748 2,163 2,857

Less than 25 ........................ 23,051 1,700 2,847 2,888 3,128 3,070 2,455 1,776 2,208 2,979

Less than 200 ...................... 23,378 1,742 2,885 2,896 3,135 3,077 2,473 1,795 2,254 3,121

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 8,717 445 761 751 818 990 885 876 980 2,211

Less than 1.4 ....................... 49 -- 1 6 8 7 10539

Less than 1.6 ....................... 92 -- 1 9 21 15 17 9 5 15

Less than 1.8 ....................... 183 -- 2 17 36 40 27 22 14 25

Less than 2 .......................... 281 -- 2 27 55 65 46 28 18 40

Less than 2.2 ....................... 395 -- 3 39 77 86 67 39 29 55

Less than 2.4 ....................... 535 1 3 54 101 108 93 60 38 77

Less than 2.6 ....................... 704 1 3 68 136 142 131 78 51 94

Less than 2.8 ....................... 885 1 6 98 168 165 157 103 71 116

Less than 3 .......................... 1,085 1 10 126 204 195 189 124 92 144

Less than 3.2 ....................... 1,305 4 15 149 240 238 213 152 116 178

Less than 3.4 ....................... 1,498 5 22 170 268 267 251 173 133 209

Less than 3.6 ....................... 1,697 5 26 198 295 293 276 205 158 241

Less than 3.8 ....................... 1,917 7 42 216 320 327 310 225 182 288

Less than 4 .......................... 2,132 10 57 242 353 352 341 252 201 324

Less than 4.5 ....................... 2,666 19 80 305 412 438 409 315 245 443

Less than 5 .......................... 3,134 26 110 345 461 513 461 376 294 548

Less than 5.5 ....................... 3,625 42 148 388 511 578 509 417 346 686

Less than 6 .......................... 4,061 57 192 422 553 624 553 464 401 795

Less than 8 .......................... 5,453 123 363 566 678 758 669 592 566 1,138

Less than 10 ........................ 6,442 211 482 663 738 842 756 672 673 1,405

Less than 12 ........................ 7,099 283 591 699 765 906 795 727 754 1,579

Less than 14 ........................ 7,558 335 666 723 792 932 825 777 807 1,701

Less than 16 ........................ 7,899 372 696 734 801 954 839 814 862 1,827

Less than 18 ........................ 8,119 391 721 742 806 966 851 825 902 1,915

Less than 20 ........................ 8,272 408 732 745 808 974 862 837 924 1,982

Less than 25 ........................ 8,489 421 743 749 815 986 875 861 953 2,086

Less than 200 ...................... 8,717 445 761 751 818 990 885 876 980 2,211

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 61

See footnotes at end of table.
Table II. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 6,746 556 952 1,011 980 1,031 755 462 540 459

Less than 1.4 ....................... 48 -- -- 4 12 14 8 5 1 4

Less than 1.6 ....................... 107 -- -- 16 32 24 17927

Less than 1.8 ....................... 186 -- -- 25 57 47 26 14 9 8

Less than 2 .......................... 297 -- -- 41 81 71 43 24 19 18

Less than 2.2 ....................... 446 -- 1 64 122 108 61 34 32 24

Less than 2.4 ....................... 616 1 6 96 151 155 83 44 47 33

Less than 2.6 ....................... 850 1 14 141 195 205 132 59 60 43

Less than 2.8 ....................... 1,062 3 16 167 244 252 169 76 75 60

Less than 3 .......................... 1,301 4 26 201 294 306 207 88 101 74

Less than 3.2 ....................... 1,519 9 33 230 343 352 239 100 124 89

Less than 3.4 ....................... 1,732 15 38 281 379 395 269 115 142 98

Less than 3.6 ....................... 1,939 22 50 324 418 431 295 132 159 108

Less than 3.8 ....................... 2,201 26 68 361 480 478 336 152 178 122

Less than 4 .......................... 2,419 28 88 401 510 517 369 175 193 138

Less than 4.5 ....................... 2,981 42 137 510 598 622 439 222 237 174

Less than 5 .......................... 3,436 67 181 589 669 701 498 255 278 198

Less than 5.5 ....................... 3,850 91 249 657 727 762 545 279 319 221

Less than 6 .......................... 4,215 127 312 712 776 805 580 305 349 249

Less than 8 .......................... 5,244 257 524 873 888 914 664 371 428 325

Less than 10 ........................ 5,852 371 708 940 943 955 694 404 465 372

Less than 12 ........................ 6,227 439 821 977 961 990 721 427 487 404

Less than 14 ........................ 6,438 492 881 995 966 1,005 731 440 506 422

Less than 16 ........................ 6,542 519 905 999 969 1,014 738 450 516 432

Less than 18 ........................ 6,616 532 927 1,002 974 1,020 741 455 523 442

Less than 20 ........................ 6,655 541 937 1,003 976 1,024 744 457 525 448

Less than 25 ........................ 6,694 549 943 1,008 978 1,029 747 459 529 452

Less than 200 ...................... 6,746 556 952 1,011 980 1,031 755 462 540 459

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 6,919 649 1,045 985 1,200 925 723 363 657 372

Less than 1.4 ....................... 27 -- -- 3 11 3 3 1 4 2

Less than 1.6 ....................... 64 -- -- 6 22 15 9 2 6 4

Less than 1.8 ....................... 128 -- 1 15 39 29 21 6 11 6

Less than 2 .......................... 225 -- 3 29 67 49 36 14 18 9

Less than 2.2 ....................... 352 1 6 64 90 72 60 21 25 13

Less than 2.4 ....................... 496 1 8 83 130 101 83 29 38 23

Less than 2.6 ....................... 681 1 12 115 168 150 116 36 49 34

Less than 2.8 ....................... 873 4 15 141 220 187 146 46 64 50

Less than 3 .......................... 1,102 4 27 172 280 222 177 68 86 66

Less than 3.2 ....................... 1,346 5 36 205 350 267 207 84 109 83

Less than 3.4 ....................... 1,566 9 53 233 400 313 235 95 139 89

Less than 3.6 ....................... 1,756 12 61 267 447 343 260 106 159 101

Less than 3.8 ....................... 1,976 17 73 303 504 367 302 116 182 112

Less than 4 .......................... 2,234 25 92 347 559 412 328 139 203 129

Less than 4.5 ....................... 2,841 44 140 456 683 504 418 164 274 158

Less than 5 .......................... 3,294 56 191 519 796 576 464 189 330 173

Less than 5.5 ....................... 3,714 80 260 590 866 630 516 208 370 194

Less than 6 .......................... 4,112 113 333 642 933 678 550 234 414 215

Less than 8 .......................... 5,234 256 582 817 1,066 788 645 288 519 273

Less than 10 ........................ 5,920 375 783 903 1,130 861 674 321 566 307

Less than 12 ........................ 6,336 470 902 941 1,164 890 699 344 603 323

Less than 14 ........................ 6,570 547 957 964 1,175 905 714 352 619 337

Less than 16 ........................ 6,701 580 999 974 1,181 916 719 356 628 348

Less than 18 ........................ 6,782 610 1,011 979 1,192 917 722 361 637 353

Less than 20 ........................ 6,829 628 1,022 981 1,196 920 723 362 642 355

Less than 25 ........................ 6,881 639 1,035 983 1,199 924 723 363 651 364

Less than 200 ...................... 6,919 649 1,045 985 1,200 925 723 363 657 372

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 62 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table III. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 11,269 863 1,469 1,383 1,555 1,397 1,170 832 1,137 1,463

Less than 1.4 ....................... 61 -- -- 7 11 10 12489

Less than 1.6 ....................... 130 -- -- 14 34 24 20 10 10 18

Less than 1.8 ....................... 237 -- 2 27 53 47 35 24 24 25

Less than 2 .......................... 399 -- 3 46 93 80 64 33 36 44

Less than 2.2 ....................... 607 -- 4 74 137 123 102 49 55 63

Less than 2.4 ....................... 832 1 8 103 184 164 141 66 79 86

Less than 2.6 ....................... 1,138 1 15 142 248 230 205 92 99 106

Less than 2.8 ....................... 1,435 3 21 181 322 276 245 116 130 141

Less than 3 .......................... 1,791 3 33 220 409 336 300 145 171 174

Less than 3.2 ....................... 2,152 9 41 260 491 405 351 179 206 210

Less than 3.4 ....................... 2,472 14 51 308 562 458 400 204 239 236

Less than 3.6 ....................... 2,786 18 65 373 621 501 437 233 271 267

Less than 3.8 ....................... 3,181 25 87 420 711 560 507 265 305 301

Less than 4 .......................... 3,540 33 109 480 775 618 552 303 336 334

Less than 4.5 ....................... 4,404 46 162 610 924 769 669 373 416 435

Less than 5 .......................... 5,087 71 220 699 1,048 882 741 425 492 509

Less than 5.5 ....................... 5,748 105 306 789 1,144 974 804 462 572 592

Less than 6 .......................... 6,379 152 405 862 1,221 1,034 865 517 643 680

Less than 8 .......................... 8,193 339 735 1,107 1,415 1,202 1,019 647 813 916

Less than 10 ........................ 9,372 510 1,027 1,251 1,491 1,294 1,084 720 910 1,085

Less than 12 ........................ 10,085 624 1,220 1,311 1,518 1,342 1,118 768 993 1,191

Less than 14 ........................ 10,502 710 1,323 1,349 1,536 1,366 1,141 790 1,033 1,254

Less than 16 ........................ 10,776 767 1,383 1,364 1,542 1,377 1,151 805 1,068 1,319

Less than 18 ........................ 10,959 805 1,418 1,375 1,549 1,386 1,157 814 1,095 1,360

Less than 20 ........................ 11,065 827 1,435 1,378 1,553 1,389 1,163 822 1,108 1,390

Less than 25 ........................ 11,174 841 1,454 1,381 1,555 1,395 1,166 829 1,123 1,430

Less than 200 ...................... 11,269 863 1,469 1,383 1,555 1,397 1,170 832 1,137 1,463

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 4,118 217 391 341 380 439 422 411 499 1,018

Less than 1.4 ....................... 24 -- -- 3 3 2 7 2 2 5

Less than 1.6 ....................... 50 -- -- 4 10 8 10 5 3 10

Less than 1.8 ....................... 96 -- 1 7 17 20 16 12 9 14

Less than 2 .......................... 144 -- 1 11 25 30 26 12 13 26

Less than 2.2 ....................... 199 -- 1 13 33 42 38 19 18 35

Less than 2.4 ....................... 269 1 1 21 44 50 53 30 22 47

Less than 2.6 ....................... 359 1 1 27 66 70 70 40 29 55

Less than 2.8 ....................... 451 1 3 39 85 77 82 52 42 70

Less than 3 .......................... 556 1 4 50 105 92 99 63 56 86

Less than 3.2 ....................... 661 2 7 56 124 112 111 77 67 105

Less than 3.4 ....................... 767 2 9 66 144 128 133 87 76 122

Less than 3.6 ....................... 874 2 12 83 157 139 145 106 89 141

Less than 3.8 ....................... 988 4 19 88 172 158 164 119 103 161

Less than 4 .......................... 1,090 5 21 101 186 171 178 136 112 180

Less than 4.5 ....................... 1,347 7 27 132 210 213 213 168 134 243

Less than 5 .......................... 1,582 12 41 151 233 256 234 201 161 293

Less than 5.5 ....................... 1,817 19 61 173 258 289 258 215 191 353

Less than 6 .......................... 2,048 29 83 190 276 307 278 243 227 415

Less than 8 .......................... 2,730 65 172 261 331 364 339 304 309 585

Less than 10 ........................ 3,184 108 241 302 352 393 376 342 360 710

Less than 12 ........................ 3,490 142 301 314 362 419 391 366 403 792

Less than 14 ........................ 3,678 164 338 325 373 428 403 383 425 839

Less than 16 ........................ 3,831 181 358 332 377 434 407 395 450 897

Less than 18 ........................ 3,925 191 371 338 377 438 411 398 471 930

Less than 20 ........................ 3,990 199 378 340 378 438 417 406 479 955

Less than 25 ........................ 4,063 206 385 341 380 439 420 411 491 990

Less than 200 ...................... 4,118 217 391 341 380 439 422 411 499 1,018

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 63

See footnotes at end of table.
Table III. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 3,185 281 487 481 461 454 333 205 268 215

Less than 1.4 ....................... 22 -- -- 1 7 5 4 2 1 2

Less than 1.6 ....................... 47 -- -- 6 15 8 7 5 2 4

Less than 1.8 ....................... 79 -- -- 13 21 16 10865

Less than 2 .......................... 139 -- -- 22 36 28 19 13 11 10

Less than 2.2 ....................... 210 -- -- 27 55 47 29 17 20 15

Less than 2.4 ....................... 287 -- 2 38 68 67 40 20 31 21

Less than 2.6 ....................... 405 -- 7 56 87 90 71 29 38 27

Less than 2.8 ....................... 499 -- 7 64 113 110 85 37 48 35

Less than 3 .......................... 620 -- 12 77 143 137 104 43 64 40

Less than 3.2 ....................... 729 3 14 89 165 161 121 50 79 47

Less than 3.4 ....................... 822 6 15 112 183 179 130 59 87 51

Less than 3.6 ....................... 921 8 21 139 199 194 139 66 97 58

Less than 3.8 ....................... 1,062 10 32 159 235 216 161 79 106 64

Less than 4 .......................... 1,160 12 41 179 249 238 172 86 112 71

Less than 4.5 ....................... 1,425 17 64 229 293 288 204 106 134 90

Less than 5 .......................... 1,621 29 84 265 324 320 231 115 148 105

Less than 5.5 ....................... 1,814 43 117 292 353 349 245 127 171 117

Less than 6 .......................... 1,982 63 149 316 373 364 265 138 183 131

Less than 8 .......................... 2,492 141 254 400 428 411 306 174 218 160

Less than 10 ........................ 2,783 193 356 439 448 429 317 183 233 185

Less than 12 ........................ 2,966 230 417 462 455 439 325 196 244 198

Less than 14 ........................ 3,058 249 448 477 456 443 328 199 255 203

Less than 16 ........................ 3,101 264 461 478 457 444 330 201 260 206

Less than 18 ........................ 3,138 269 475 479 461 448 331 203 261 211

Less than 20 ........................ 3,156 275 480 479 461 450 331 203 263 214

Less than 25 ........................ 3,167 277 484 480 461 453 331 203 264 214

Less than 200 ...................... 3,185 281 487 481 461 454 333 205 268 215

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 3,511 319 518 497 644 449 370 177 337 200

Less than 1.4 ....................... 13 -- -- 3 1 3 1 -- 4 1

Less than 1.6 ....................... 31 -- -- 4 9 8 3 -- 4 3

Less than 1.8 ....................... 58 -- 1 7 15 10 9 3 8 5

Less than 2 .......................... 109 -- 2 13 30 21 18 7 11 7

Less than 2.2 ....................... 185 -- 3 32 46 33 34 10 16 11

Less than 2.4 ....................... 254 -- 5 42 65 44 45 13 25 15

Less than 2.6 ....................... 342 -- 7 57 87 65 58 18 31 19

Less than 2.8 ....................... 439 2 10 74 112 82 71 22 38 28

Less than 3 .......................... 557 2 16 87 146 99 87 31 49 40

Less than 3.2 ....................... 688 3 19 106 184 120 105 43 58 50

Less than 3.4 ....................... 795 5 25 119 213 137 121 49 72 54

Less than 3.6 ....................... 892 7 28 139 239 153 135 52 80 59

Less than 3.8 ....................... 1,017 10 32 159 274 163 163 58 91 67

Less than 4 .......................... 1,155 14 40 184 308 183 178 71 103 74

Less than 4.5 ....................... 1,465 20 62 229 384 237 223 85 136 89

Less than 5 .......................... 1,691 26 84 260 448 272 243 92 169 97

Less than 5.5 ....................... 1,900 37 114 296 486 298 266 101 195 107

Less than 6 .......................... 2,101 51 155 320 521 323 284 112 216 119

Less than 8 .......................... 2,660 119 276 400 592 381 333 141 265 153

Less than 10 ........................ 3,034 181 381 455 627 420 348 160 293 169

Less than 12 ........................ 3,224 219 442 476 634 431 358 170 317 177

Less than 14 ........................ 3,342 261 471 485 638 440 366 172 323 186

Less than 16 ........................ 3,408 283 495 491 638 444 369 172 327 189

Less than 18 ........................ 3,450 300 501 495 641 445 370 176 330 192

Less than 20 ........................ 3,471 308 505 496 644 446 370 176 333 193

Less than 25 ........................ 3,492 312 513 497 644 448 370 177 335 196

Less than 200 ...................... 3,511 319 518 497 644 449 370 177 337 200

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

Page 64 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table IV. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 12,109 879 1,416 1,513 1,580 1,680 1,303 963 1,117 1,658

Less than 1.4 ....................... 66 -- 1 7 20 14 9 7 1 7

Less than 1.6 ....................... 137 -- 1 18 41 30 23 11 4 9

Less than 1.8 ....................... 270 -- 1 31 79 72 41 20 11 15

Less than 2 .......................... 419 -- 2 52 112 109 64 35 21 24

Less than 2.2 ....................... 610 1 6 96 155 149 89 50 33 31

Less than 2.4 ....................... 852 2 9 133 205 208 126 72 47 50

Less than 2.6 ....................... 1,153 2 14 188 260 277 189 88 64 71

Less than 2.8 ....................... 1,464 5 18 235 324 342 244 118 84 94

Less than 3 .......................... 1,796 6 32 291 389 402 294 148 113 121

Less than 3.2 ....................... 2,150 10 45 339 468 480 334 172 150 152

Less than 3.4 ....................... 2,484 16 65 396 518 548 385 196 185 175

Less than 3.6 ....................... 2,788 22 79 438 578 602 426 227 216 200

Less than 3.8 ....................... 3,124 26 103 489 637 657 477 246 250 239

Less than 4 .......................... 3,493 32 138 542 699 713 530 283 280 276

Less than 4.5 ....................... 4,396 63 208 702 832 853 651 357 366 364

Less than 5 .......................... 5,164 88 281 811 951 978 747 431 439 438

Less than 5.5 ....................... 5,893 121 376 922 1,042 1,075 836 483 497 541

Less than 6 .......................... 6,525 163 463 1,003 1,130 1,161 894 534 560 617

Less than 8 .......................... 8,435 330 798 1,266 1,335 1,363 1,052 672 747 872

Less than 10 ........................ 9,657 499 1,033 1,390 1,442 1,483 1,140 761 850 1,059

Less than 12 ........................ 10,454 630 1,198 1,445 1,501 1,569 1,202 816 914 1,179

Less than 14 ........................ 10,987 737 1,296 1,478 1,528 1,604 1,237 867 966 1,274

Less than 16 ........................ 11,311 781 1,338 1,490 1,543 1,636 1,254 906 1,006 1,357

Less than 18 ........................ 11,523 814 1,366 1,495 1,557 1,647 1,266 918 1,039 1,421

Less than 20 ........................ 11,663 838 1,382 1,498 1,562 1,659 1,276 926 1,055 1,467

Less than 25 ........................ 11,877 859 1,393 1,507 1,573 1,675 1,289 947 1,085 1,549

Less than 200 ...................... 12,109 879 1,416 1,513 1,580 1,680 1,303 963 1,117 1,658

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 4,599 228 370 410 438 551 463 465 481 1,193

Less than 1.4 ....................... 25 -- 1 3 5 5 3 3 1 4

Less than 1.6 ....................... 42 -- 1 5 11 7 7 4 2 5

Less than 1.8 ....................... 87 -- 1 10 19 20 11 10 5 11

Less than 2 .......................... 137 -- 1 16 30 35 20 16 5 14

Less than 2.2 ....................... 196 -- 2 26 44 44 29 20 11 20

Less than 2.4 ....................... 266 -- 2 33 57 58 40 30 16 30

Less than 2.6 ....................... 345 -- 2 41 70 72 61 38 22 39

Less than 2.8 ....................... 434 -- 3 59 83 88 75 51 29 46

Less than 3 .......................... 529 -- 6 76 99 103 90 61 36 58

Less than 3.2 ....................... 644 2 8 93 116 126 102 75 49 73

Less than 3.4 ....................... 731 3 13 104 124 139 118 86 57 87

Less than 3.6 ....................... 823 3 14 115 138 154 131 99 69 100

Less than 3.8 ....................... 929 3 23 128 148 169 146 106 79 127

Less than 4 .......................... 1,042 5 36 141 167 181 163 116 89 144

Less than 4.5 ....................... 1,319 12 53 173 202 225 196 147 111 200

Less than 5 .......................... 1,552 14 69 194 228 257 227 175 133 255

Less than 5.5 ....................... 1,808 23 87 215 253 289 251 202 155 333

Less than 6 .......................... 2,013 28 109 232 277 317 275 221 174 380

Less than 8 .......................... 2,723 58 191 305 347 394 330 288 257 553

Less than 10 ........................ 3,258 103 241 361 386 449 380 330 313 695

Less than 12 ........................ 3,609 141 290 385 403 487 404 361 351 787

Less than 14 ........................ 3,880 171 328 398 419 504 422 394 382 862

Less than 16 ........................ 4,068 191 338 402 424 520 432 419 412 930

Less than 18 ........................ 4,194 200 350 404 429 528 440 427 431 985

Less than 20 ........................ 4,282 209 354 405 430 536 445 431 445 1,027

Less than 25 ........................ 4,426 215 358 408 435 547 455 450 462 1,096

Less than 200 ...................... 4,599 228 370 410 438 551 463 465 481 1,193

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 65

See footnotes at end of table.
Table IV. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum folate cutoffs, and age:

United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

serum 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 3,561 275 465 530 519 577 422 257 272 244

Less than 1.4 ....................... 26 -- -- 3 5 9 4 3 -- 2

Less than 1.6 ....................... 60 -- -- 10 17 16 10 4 -- 3

Less than 1.8 ....................... 107 -- -- 12 36 31 16633

Less than 2 .......................... 158 -- -- 19 45 43 24 11 8 8

Less than 2.2 ....................... 236 -- 1 37 67 61 32 17 12 9

Less than 2.4 ....................... 329 1 4 58 83 88 43 24 16 12

Less than 2.6 ....................... 445 1 7 85 108 115 61 30 22 16

Less than 2.8 ....................... 563 3 9 103 131 142 84 39 27 25

Less than 3 .......................... 681 4 14 124 151 169 103 45 37 34

Less than 3.2 ....................... 790 6 19 141 178 191 118 50 45 42

Less than 3.4 ....................... 910 9 23 169 196 216 139 56 55 47

Less than 3.6 ....................... 1,018 14 29 185 219 237 156 66 62 50

Less than 3.8 ....................... 1,139 16 36 202 245 262 175 73 72 58

Less than 4 .......................... 1,259 16 47 222 261 279 197 89 81 67

Less than 4.5 ....................... 1,556 25 73 281 305 334 235 116 103 84

Less than 5 .......................... 1,815 38 97 324 345 381 267 140 130 93

Less than 5.5 ....................... 2,036 48 132 365 374 413 300 152 148 104

Less than 6 .......................... 2,233 64 163 396 403 441 315 167 166 118

Less than 8 .......................... 2,752 116 270 473 460 503 358 197 210 165

Less than 10 ........................ 3,069 178 352 501 495 526 377 221 232 187

Less than 12 ........................ 3,261 209 404 515 506 551 396 231 243 206

Less than 14 ........................ 3,380 243 433 518 510 562 403 241 251 219

Less than 16 ........................ 3,441 255 444 521 512 570 408 249 256 226

Less than 18 ........................ 3,478 263 452 523 513 572 410 252 262 231

Less than 20 ........................ 3,499 266 457 524 515 574 413 254 262 234

Less than 25 ........................ 3,527 272 459 528 517 576 416 256 265 238

Less than 200 ...................... 3,561 275 465 530 519 577 422 257 272 244

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 3,408 330 527 488 556 476 353 186 320 172

Less than 1.4 ....................... 14 -- -- -- 10 -- 2 1 -- 1

Less than 1.6 ....................... 33 -- -- 2 13 7 6 2 2 1

Less than 1.8 ....................... 70 -- -- 8 24 19 12331

Less than 2 .......................... 116 -- 1 16 37 28 18772

Less than 2.2 ....................... 167 1 3 32 44 39 26 11 9 2

Less than 2.4 ....................... 242 1 3 41 65 57 38 16 13 8

Less than 2.6 ....................... 339 1 5 58 81 85 58 18 18 15

Less than 2.8 ....................... 434 2 5 67 108 105 75 24 26 22

Less than 3 .......................... 545 2 11 85 134 123 90 37 37 26

Less than 3.2 ....................... 658 2 17 99 166 147 102 41 51 33

Less than 3.4 ....................... 771 4 28 114 187 176 114 46 67 35

Less than 3.6 ....................... 864 5 33 128 208 190 125 54 79 42

Less than 3.8 ....................... 959 7 41 144 230 204 139 58 91 45

Less than 4 .......................... 1,079 11 52 163 251 229 150 68 100 55

Less than 4.5 ....................... 1,376 24 78 227 299 267 195 79 138 69

Less than 5 .......................... 1,603 30 107 259 348 304 221 97 161 76

Less than 5.5 ....................... 1,814 43 146 294 380 332 250 107 175 87

Less than 6 .......................... 2,011 62 178 322 412 355 266 122 198 96

Less than 8 .......................... 2,574 137 306 417 474 407 312 147 254 120

Less than 10 ........................ 2,886 194 402 448 503 441 326 161 273 138

Less than 12 ........................ 3,112 251 460 465 530 459 341 174 286 146

Less than 14 ........................ 3,228 286 486 479 537 465 348 180 296 151

Less than 16 ........................ 3,293 297 504 483 543 472 350 184 301 159

Less than 18 ........................ 3,332 310 510 484 551 472 352 185 307 161

Less than 20 ........................ 3,358 320 517 485 552 474 353 186 309 162

Less than 25 ........................ 3,389 327 522 486 555 476 353 186 316 168

Less than 200 ...................... 3,408 330 527 488 556 476 353 186 320 172

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 66 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table V. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and

age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 23,082 1,780 2,880 2,895 3,132 3,072 2,466 1,788 2,221 2,848

Less than 60 ........................ 259 -- 5 52 54 46 36 17 22 27

Less than 70 ....................... 550 2 20 105 116 94 81 33 44 55

Less than 80 ........................ 1,030 6 44 203 222 175 158 56 71 95

Less than 85 ........................ 1,350 9 58 269 305 226 191 75 101 116

Less than 90 ........................ 1,729 12 74 359 383 283 241 100 133 144

Less than 95 ........................ 2,181 19 96 457 480 353 299 129 169 179

Less than 100 ...................... 2,741 30 136 554 599 464 359 168 211 220

Less than 110 ...................... 3,818 55 221 760 809 656 492 238 289 298

Less than 120 ...................... 5,155 104 333 998 1,044 910 651 332 374 409

Less than 130 ...................... 6,690 171 471 1,245 1,330 1,140 853 444 499 537

Less than 140 ...................... 8,087 253 626 1,474 1,574 1,352 994 543 620 651

Less than 150 ...................... 9,570 340 823 1,683 1,815 1,571 1,167 667 738 766

Less than 160 ...................... 10,912 442 1,015 1,865 2,022 1,735 1,314 765 861 893

Less than 180 ...................... 13,439 691 1,424 2,176 2,339 2,057 1,586 962 1,088 1,116

Less than 220 ...................... 17,140 1,133 2,094 2,522 2,730 2,494 1,953 1,219 1,440 1,555

Less than 260 ...................... 19,452 1,442 2,487 2,709 2,922 2,752 2,169 1,414 1,665 1,892

Less than 300 ...................... 20,806 1,600 2,703 2,795 3,016 2,885 2,278 1,533 1,844 2,152

Less than 340 ...................... 21,635 1,690 2,797 2,846 3,068 2,967 2,345 1,626 1,964 2,332

Less than 380 ...................... 22,181 1,736 2,831 2,873 3,100 3,030 2,396 1,681 2,048 2,486

Less than 420 ...................... 22,493 1,755 2,850 2,880 3,113 3,050 2,427 1,716 2,112 2,590

Less than 460 ...................... 22,698 1,761 2,866 2,887 3,126 3,062 2,438 1,749 2,144 2,665

Less than 1,760.................... 23,082 1,780 2,880 2,895 3,132 3,072 2,466 1,788 2,221 2,848

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 8,497 451 761 761 823 990 880 875 964 1,992

Less than 60 ........................ 39 -- -- 3 7 4 7 5 5 8

Less than 70 ....................... 93 -- 1 11 19 11 17 9 5 20

Less than 80 ........................ 196 -- 3 24 40 26 37 17 8 41

Less than 85 ........................ 267 -- 5 40 54 35 45 24 13 51

Less than 90 ........................ 354 -- 5 58 73 46 56 32 22 62

Less than 95 ........................ 464 -- 7 79 89 59 75 42 34 79

Less than 100 ...................... 592 -- 10 102 103 85 94 53 45 100

Less than 110 ...................... 849 2 21 139 144 131 125 82 69 136

Less than 120 ...................... 1,214 7 45 189 202 200 162 113 97 199

Less than 130 ...................... 1,651 18 66 249 266 271 228 151 136 266

Less than 140 ...................... 2,066 29 95 305 329 333 270 193 176 336

Less than 150 ...................... 2,508 46 137 360 383 396 318 249 213 406

Less than 160 ...................... 2,935 71 179 410 435 443 371 290 250 486

Less than 180 ...................... 3,770 122 269 491 521 551 464 390 340 622

Less than 220 ...................... 5,201 215 447 607 652 723 613 521 492 931

Less than 260 ...................... 6,277 316 590 684 729 829 701 622 612 1,194

Less than 300 ...................... 7,014 380 675 723 768 893 766 689 717 1,403

Less than 340 ...................... 7,502 412 716 738 794 937 802 758 795 1,550

Less than 380 ...................... 7,833 431 734 748 807 968 831 796 844 1,674

Less than 420 ...................... 8,064 441 744 753 815 981 856 824 882 1,768

Less than 460 ...................... 8,213 443 754 758 821 985 863 849 904 1,836

Less than 1,760.................... 8,497 451 761 761 823 990 880 875 964 1,992

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 67

See footnotes at end of table.
Table V. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and

age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 6,763 566 965 1,014 981 1,039 759 459 540 440

Less than 60 ........................ 181 -- 5 43 38 37 23 10 12 13

Less than 70 ....................... 364 2 18 78 76 70 53 19 25 23

Less than 80 ........................ 624 6 34 136 135 117 92 30 41 33

Less than 85 ........................ 776 9 42 165 177 145 107 39 54 38

Less than 90 ........................ 970 12 55 208 214 176 137 53 68 47

Less than 95 ........................ 1,167 18 67 251 262 209 161 66 78 55

Less than 100 ...................... 1,421 28 94 301 311 258 184 86 92 67

Less than 110 ...................... 1,903 47 145 402 406 345 236 110 121 91

Less than 120 ...................... 2,423 77 199 499 494 453 299 139 148 115

Less than 130 ...................... 2,978 115 270 587 589 530 368 184 185 150

Less than 140 ...................... 3,434 154 341 673 647 592 415 220 221 171

Less than 150 ...................... 3,919 195 429 744 712 664 471 252 260 192

Less than 160 ...................... 4,344 239 507 803 772 727 506 275 296 219

Less than 180 ...................... 5,025 330 638 885 845 820 583 313 350 261

Less than 220 ...................... 5,923 465 847 957 925 933 676 366 427 327

Less than 260 ...................... 6,353 531 913 985 961 986 726 410 469 372

Less than 300 ...................... 6,552 547 949 1,001 973 1,011 739 434 501 397

Less than 340 ...................... 6,649 559 961 1,010 979 1,024 748 440 513 415

Less than 380 ...................... 6,701 562 963 1,012 981 1,033 755 447 524 424

Less than 420 ...................... 6,726 564 964 1,012 981 1,036 757 451 530 431

Less than 460 ...................... 6,740 564 964 1,013 981 1,038 758 455 534 433

Less than 1,760.................... 6,763 566 965 1,014 981 1,039 759 459 540 440

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 6,827 666 1,028 970 1,190 913 716 359 641 344

Less than 60 ........................ 35 -- -- 6 9 4 6 2 4 4

Less than 70 ....................... 84 -- 1 14 21 12 11 4 13 8

Less than 80 ........................ 190 -- 6 40 46 29 27 8 18 16

Less than 85 ........................ 270 -- 9 55 70 42 36 9 29 20

Less than 90 ........................ 354 -- 12 77 89 56 43 11 38 28

Less than 95 ........................ 481 -- 20 108 120 77 53 16 51 36

Less than 100 ...................... 640 1 29 131 171 108 70 22 66 42

Less than 110 ...................... 942 5 50 193 234 163 114 36 89 58

Less than 120 ...................... 1,349 17 82 275 313 233 166 66 119 78

Less than 130 ...................... 1,836 31 124 365 429 305 224 90 167 101

Less than 140 ...................... 2,296 59 177 440 537 384 264 104 209 122

Less than 150 ...................... 2,779 86 235 514 647 453 325 131 244 144

Less than 160 ...................... 3,201 116 295 575 732 499 376 159 290 159

Less than 180 ...................... 4,079 206 462 705 873 604 461 206 365 197

Less than 220 ...................... 5,260 393 710 833 1,036 731 574 263 471 249

Less than 260 ...................... 5,975 515 879 902 1,108 822 645 304 527 273

Less than 300 ...................... 6,335 585 963 926 1,144 858 673 327 564 295

Less than 340 ...................... 6,549 627 1,000 951 1,162 880 693 341 588 307

Less than 380 ...................... 6,684 648 1,012 965 1,175 901 704 350 608 321

Less than 420 ...................... 6,733 654 1,019 967 1,180 905 708 352 624 324

Less than 460 ...................... 6,767 658 1,024 968 1,186 910 709 355 630 327

Less than 1,760.................... 6,827 666 1,028 970 1,190 913 716 359 641 344

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 68 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table VI. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and

age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 11,145 872 1,470 1,383 1,554 1,394 1,164 826 1,130 1,352

Less than 60 ........................ 96 -- 2 18 17 10 15 11 12 11

Less than 70 ....................... 213 -- 6 37 34 32 36 16 26 26

Less than 80 ........................ 430 3 13 78 81 54 78 27 43 53

Less than 85 ........................ 580 4 18 103 124 77 95 34 61 64

Less than 90 ........................ 762 4 20 149 154 108 118 48 80 81

Less than 95 ........................ 954 7 23 192 198 133 142 61 100 98

Less than 100 ...................... 1,219 11 42 238 259 177 173 77 123 119

Less than 110 ...................... 1,748 17 84 335 367 260 243 113 168 161

Less than 120 ...................... 2,430 35 126 453 503 395 322 165 212 219

Less than 130 ...................... 3,144 55 189 569 634 505 417 211 278 286

Less than 140 ...................... 3,850 93 260 667 774 615 494 260 338 349

Less than 150 ...................... 4,575 127 362 760 915 718 569 324 391 409

Less than 160 ...................... 5,251 170 450 846 1,030 814 653 363 458 467

Less than 180 ...................... 6,514 292 643 1,009 1,189 976 780 464 579 582

Less than 220 ...................... 8,354 517 999 1,181 1,396 1,175 960 581 762 783

Less than 260 ...................... 9,484 690 1,219 1,286 1,477 1,288 1,050 667 866 941

Less than 300 ...................... 10,149 774 1,347 1,330 1,517 1,338 1,098 725 953 1,067

Less than 340 ...................... 10,553 825 1,413 1,357 1,537 1,365 1,123 762 1,016 1,155

Less than 380 ...................... 10,784 848 1,435 1,373 1,544 1,381 1,140 786 1,056 1,221

Less than 420 ...................... 10,917 856 1,447 1,377 1,550 1,387 1,155 800 1,084 1,261

Less than 460 ...................... 11,002 859 1,459 1,381 1,553 1,391 1,158 812 1,098 1,291

Less than 1,760.................... 11,145 872 1,470 1,383 1,554 1,394 1,164 826 1,130 1,352

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 4,027 219 392 348 383 438 419 408 495 925

Less than 60 ........................ 14 -- -- 1 2 -- 3 3 3 2

Less than 70 ....................... 42 -- -- 5 6 3 10 4 3 11

Less than 80 ........................ 83 -- -- 8 13 6 20 7 5 24

Less than 85 ........................ 116 -- 1 15 20 11 24 10 7 28

Less than 90 ........................ 151 -- 1 20 24 16 29 16 10 35

Less than 95 ........................ 198 -- 2 28 31 19 36 21 19 42

Less than 100 ...................... 258 -- 3 39 38 32 43 26 25 52

Less than 110 ...................... 384 1 6 55 60 49 59 44 39 71

Less than 120 ...................... 569 4 13 77 93 83 77 62 55 105

Less than 130 ...................... 781 9 23 102 118 118 112 81 74 144

Less than 140 ...................... 986 14 35 124 150 155 136 101 93 178

Less than 150 ...................... 1,197 21 55 144 175 180 159 134 114 215

Less than 160 ...................... 1,403 31 71 168 205 205 188 148 135 252

Less than 180 ...................... 1,831 52 117 208 247 259 239 199 188 322

Less than 220 ...................... 2,542 100 201 263 314 342 316 262 276 468

Less than 260 ...................... 3,047 154 281 303 346 385 355 304 330 589

Less than 300 ...................... 3,395 183 333 321 362 411 382 335 382 686

Less than 340 ...................... 3,636 199 364 333 374 426 395 362 425 758

Less than 380 ...................... 3,775 208 372 340 377 433 403 382 449 811

Less than 420 ...................... 3,869 212 377 344 382 437 414 393 465 845

Less than 460 ...................... 3,926 213 385 347 383 437 416 399 474 872

Less than 1,760.................... 4,027 219 392 348 383 438 419 408 495 925

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 69

See footnotes at end of table.
Table VI. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and

age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 3,205 285 494 481 460 459 335 204 273 214

Less than 60 ........................ 66 -- 2 15 11 8 10767

Less than 70 ....................... 127 -- 5 24 22 22 21 9 14 10

Less than 80 ........................ 243 3 10 48 48 35 42 14 26 17

Less than 85 ........................ 314 4 12 57 71 48 50 18 34 20

Less than 90 ........................ 400 4 13 78 86 63 65 23 43 25

Less than 95 ........................ 477 6 15 98 103 75 75 29 47 29

Less than 100 ...................... 589 9 27 123 122 94 87 36 55 36

Less than 110 ...................... 828 14 55 169 176 127 117 48 73 49

Less than 120 ...................... 1,092 25 78 218 222 190 146 66 87 60

Less than 130 ...................... 1,351 36 116 264 263 231 177 82 107 75

Less than 140 ...................... 1,567 53 147 297 293 259 200 101 127 90

Less than 150 ...................... 1,808 72 196 336 330 290 223 118 143 100

Less than 160 ...................... 2,021 94 236 365 356 326 247 127 159 111

Less than 180 ...................... 2,355 146 297 408 396 371 277 146 181 133

Less than 220 ...................... 2,800 223 419 447 439 417 312 169 213 161

Less than 260 ...................... 3,018 264 459 464 456 444 329 186 232 184

Less than 300 ...................... 3,115 273 483 475 459 453 331 195 249 197

Less than 340 ...................... 3,160 281 491 479 459 456 334 198 258 204

Less than 380 ...................... 3,179 283 492 480 460 457 335 199 264 209

Less than 420 ...................... 3,191 284 493 480 460 458 335 200 267 214

Less than 460 ...................... 3,196 284 493 481 460 458 335 202 269 214

Less than 1,760.................... 3,205 285 494 481 460 459 335 204 273 214

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 3,458 322 512 489 640 443 364 174 329 185

Less than 60 ........................ 13 -- -- 2 4 1 2 1 3 --

Less than 70 ....................... 37 -- 1 6 6 6 5 2 9 2

Less than 80 ........................ 92 -- 3 19 20 11 15 5 11 8

Less than 85 ........................ 131 -- 5 26 30 16 20 5 18 11

Less than 90 ........................ 184 -- 6 41 40 26 23 7 25 16

Less than 95 ........................ 244 -- 6 55 58 36 28 9 31 21

Less than 100 ...................... 329 1 11 65 89 47 39 12 40 25

Less than 110 ...................... 479 1 21 98 116 78 61 17 53 34

Less than 120 ...................... 688 4 32 141 165 113 90 31 67 45

Less than 130 ...................... 905 8 44 184 224 143 114 39 93 56

Less than 140 ...................... 1,155 22 71 222 292 183 138 44 113 70

Less than 150 ...................... 1,393 29 99 253 364 221 164 56 126 81

Less than 160 ...................... 1,618 39 127 280 418 251 189 70 154 90

Less than 180 ...................... 2,058 79 203 354 487 305 231 94 194 111

Less than 220 ...................... 2,662 167 332 419 578 368 293 121 249 135

Less than 260 ...................... 3,024 236 421 458 609 409 324 144 276 147

Less than 300 ...................... 3,217 276 465 470 629 422 342 158 293 162

Less than 340 ...................... 3,321 302 490 480 635 429 351 165 301 168

Less than 380 ...................... 3,384 312 501 488 636 437 357 168 310 175

Less than 420 ...................... 3,409 315 506 488 637 438 361 169 319 176

Less than 460 ...................... 3,431 317 510 488 639 442 362 172 322 179

Less than 1,760.................... 3,458 322 512 489 640 443 364 174 329 185

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

Page 70 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table VII. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and

age: United States, 1988-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 11,937 908 1,410 1,512 1,578 1,678 1,302 962 1,091 1,496

Less than 60 ........................ 163 -- 3 34 37 36 21 6 10 16

Less than 70 ....................... 337 2 14 68 82 62 45 17 18 29

Less than 80 ........................ 600 3 31 125 141 121 80 29 28 42

Less than 85 ........................ 770 5 40 166 181 149 96 41 40 52

Less than 90 ........................ 967 8 54 210 229 175 123 52 53 63

Less than 95 ........................ 1,227 12 73 265 282 220 157 68 69 81

Less than 100 ...................... 1,522 19 94 316 340 287 186 91 88 101

Less than 110 ...................... 2,070 38 137 425 442 396 249 125 121 137

Less than 120 ...................... 2,725 69 207 545 541 515 329 167 162 190

Less than 130 ...................... 3,546 116 282 676 696 635 436 233 221 251

Less than 140 ...................... 4,237 160 366 807 800 737 500 283 282 302

Less than 150 ...................... 4,995 213 461 923 900 853 598 343 347 357

Less than 160 ...................... 5,661 272 565 1,019 992 921 661 402 403 426

Less than 180 ...................... 6,925 399 781 1,167 1,150 1,081 806 498 509 534

Less than 220 ...................... 8,786 616 1,095 1,341 1,334 1,319 993 638 678 772

Less than 260 ...................... 9,968 752 1,268 1,423 1,445 1,464 1,119 747 799 951

Less than 300 ...................... 10,657 826 1,356 1,465 1,499 1,547 1,180 808 891 1,085

Less than 340 ...................... 11,082 865 1,384 1,489 1,531 1,602 1,222 864 948 1,177

Less than 380 ...................... 11,397 888 1,396 1,500 1,556 1,649 1,256 895 992 1,265

Less than 420 ...................... 11,576 899 1,403 1,503 1,563 1,663 1,272 916 1,028 1,329

Less than 460 ...................... 11,696 902 1,407 1,506 1,573 1,671 1,280 937 1,046 1,374

Less than 1,760.................... 11,937 908 1,410 1,512 1,578 1,678 1,302 962 1,091 1,496

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 4,470 232 369 413 440 552 461 467 469 1,067

Less than 60 ........................ 25 -- -- 2 5 4 4 2 2 6

Less than 70 ....................... 51 -- 1 6 13 8 7 5 2 9

Less than 80 ........................ 113 -- 3 16 27 20 17 10 3 17

Less than 85 ........................ 151 -- 4 25 34 24 21 14 6 23

Less than 90 ........................ 203 -- 4 38 49 30 27 16 12 27

Less than 95 ........................ 266 -- 5 51 58 40 39 21 15 37

Less than 100 ...................... 334 -- 7 63 65 53 51 27 20 48

Less than 110 ...................... 465 1 15 84 84 82 66 38 30 65

Less than 120 ...................... 645 3 32 112 109 117 85 51 42 94

Less than 130 ...................... 870 9 43 147 148 153 116 70 62 122

Less than 140 ...................... 1,080 15 60 181 179 178 134 92 83 158

Less than 150 ...................... 1,311 25 82 216 208 216 159 115 99 191

Less than 160 ...................... 1,532 40 108 242 230 238 183 142 115 234

Less than 180 ...................... 1,939 70 152 283 274 292 225 191 152 300

Less than 220 ...................... 2,659 115 246 344 338 381 297 259 216 463

Less than 260 ...................... 3,230 162 309 381 383 444 346 318 282 605

Less than 300 ...................... 3,619 197 342 402 406 482 384 354 335 717

Less than 340 ...................... 3,866 213 352 405 420 511 407 396 370 792

Less than 380 ...................... 4,058 223 362 408 430 535 428 414 395 863

Less than 420 ...................... 4,195 229 367 409 433 544 442 431 417 923

Less than 460 ...................... 4,287 230 369 411 438 548 447 450 430 964

Less than 1,760.................... 4,470 232 369 413 440 552 461 467 469 1,067

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 71

See footnotes at end of table.
Table VII. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected red blood cell folate cutoffs, and

age: United States, 1988-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected

red blood cell 

folate cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 3,558 281 471 533 521 580 424 255 267 226

Less than 60 ........................ 115 -- 3 28 27 29 13366

Less than 70 ....................... 237 2 13 54 54 48 32 10 11 13

Less than 80 ........................ 381 3 24 88 87 82 50 16 15 16

Less than 85 ........................ 462 5 30 108 106 97 57 21 20 18

Less than 90 ........................ 570 8 42 130 128 113 72 30 25 22

Less than 95 ........................ 690 12 52 153 159 134 86 37 31 26

Less than 100 ...................... 832 19 67 178 189 164 97 50 37 31

Less than 110 ...................... 1,075 33 90 233 230 218 119 62 48 42

Less than 120 ...................... 1,331 52 121 281 272 263 153 73 61 55

Less than 130 ...................... 1,627 79 154 323 326 299 191 102 78 75

Less than 140 ...................... 1,867 101 194 376 354 333 215 119 94 81

Less than 150 ...................... 2,111 123 233 408 382 374 248 134 117 92

Less than 160 ...................... 2,323 145 271 438 416 401 259 148 137 108

Less than 180 ...................... 2,670 184 341 477 449 449 306 167 169 128

Less than 220 ...................... 3,123 242 428 510 486 516 364 197 214 166

Less than 260 ...................... 3,335 267 454 521 505 542 397 224 237 188

Less than 300 ...................... 3,437 274 466 526 514 558 408 239 252 200

Less than 340 ...................... 3,489 278 470 531 520 568 414 242 255 211

Less than 380 ...................... 3,522 279 471 532 521 576 420 248 260 215

Less than 420 ...................... 3,535 280 471 532 521 578 422 251 263 217

Less than 460 ...................... 3,544 280 471 532 521 580 423 253 265 219

Less than 1,760.................... 3,558 281 471 533 521 580 424 255 267 226

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 3,369 344 516 481 550 470 352 185 312 159

Less than 60 ........................ 22 -- -- 4 5 3 4 1 1 4

Less than 70 ....................... 47 -- -- 8 15 6 6 2 4 6

Less than 80 ........................ 98 -- 3 21 26 18 12378

Less than 85 ........................ 139 -- 4 29 40 26 16 4 11 9

Less than 90 ........................ 170 -- 6 36 49 30 20 4 13 12

Less than 95 ........................ 237 -- 14 53 62 41 25 7 20 15

Less than 100 ...................... 311 -- 18 66 82 61 31 10 26 17

Less than 110 ...................... 463 4 29 95 118 85 53 19 36 24

Less than 120 ...................... 661 13 50 134 148 120 76 35 52 33

Less than 130 ...................... 931 23 80 181 205 162 110 51 74 45

Less than 140 ...................... 1,141 37 106 218 245 201 126 60 96 52

Less than 150 ...................... 1,386 57 136 261 283 232 161 75 118 63

Less than 160 ...................... 1,583 77 168 295 314 248 187 89 136 69

Less than 180 ...................... 2,021 127 259 351 386 299 230 112 171 86

Less than 220 ...................... 2,598 226 378 414 458 363 281 142 222 114

Less than 260 ...................... 2,951 279 458 444 499 413 321 160 251 126

Less than 300 ...................... 3,118 309 498 456 515 436 331 169 271 133

Less than 340 ...................... 3,228 325 510 471 527 451 342 176 287 139

Less than 380 ...................... 3,300 336 511 477 539 464 347 182 298 146

Less than 420 ...................... 3,324 339 513 479 543 467 347 183 305 148

Less than 460 ...................... 3,336 341 514 480 547 468 347 183 308 148

Less than 1,760.................... 3,369 344 516 481 550 470 352 185 312 159

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

 NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 72 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table VIII. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and

age: United States 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 11,851 877 1,327 1,562 1,623 1,650 1,267 879 1,131 1,535

Less than 80 ........................ 16 1 1 1 -- -- 1 1 3 8

Less than 100 ...................... 28 1 1 1 1 2 1 3 5 13

Less than 150 ...................... 95 1 1 3 7 9 9 6 14 45

Less than 200 ...................... 258 1 3 14 36 26 31 18 36 93

Less than 250 ...................... 677 3 4 44 97 82 79 55 110 203

Less than 300 ...................... 1,358 5 13 115 216 176 164 115 202 352

Less than 350 ...................... 2,370 13 34 231 399 358 282 184 329 540

Less than 400 ...................... 3,468 33 70 403 582 552 425 280 448 675

Less than 450 ...................... 4,621 62 112 566 765 750 585 390 563 828

Less than 500 ...................... 5,724 99 186 728 943 915 733 484 673 963

Less than 600 ...................... 7,615 218 406 1,014 1,217 1,220 928 624 830 1,158

Less than 650 ...................... 8,373 281 531 1,131 1,315 1,324 1,002 680 892 1,217

Less than 700 ...................... 9,006 338 644 1,219 1,381 1,412 1,063 731 941 1,277

Less than 750 ...................... 9,561 393 760 1,305 1,445 1,474 1,108 764 976 1,336

Less than 800 ...................... 10,037 461 865 1,370 1,498 1,517 1,150 793 1,010 1,373

Less than 850 ...................... 10,419 544 950 1,422 1,534 1,548 1,181 809 1,030 1,401

Less than 900 ...................... 10,693 596 1,024 1,453 1,556 1,573 1,198 822 1,048 1,423

Less than 950 ...................... 10,914 648 1,085 1,477 1,568 1,587 1,211 835 1,066 1,437

Less than 1,000 ................... 11,089 688 1,135 1,494 1,583 1,594 1,219 843 1,074 1,459

Less than 1,500 ................... 11,694 849 1,308 1,552 1,613 1,632 1,248 868 1,116 1,508

Less than 2,000 ................... 11,792 873 1,325 1,560 1,620 1,640 1,258 875 1,123 1,518

Less than 4,000 ................... 11,815 877 1,326 1,561 1,621 1,642 1,261 876 1,126 1,525

Less than 100,000 ............... 11,851 877 1,327 1,562 1,623 1,650 1,267 879 1,131 1,535

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 4,070 214 305 326 405 467 418 403 476 1,056

Less than 80 ........................ 8 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 6

Less than 100 ...................... 13 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 2 10

Less than 150 ...................... 50 -- -- 1 2 -- 3 2 7 35

Less than 200 ...................... 133 -- -- 3 15 7 11 8 19 70

Less than 250 ...................... 367 2 -- 12 43 28 36 29 63 154

Less than 300 ...................... 708 2 1 30 82 62 84 65 111 271

Less than 350 ...................... 1,161 7 8 60 132 135 139 104 170 406

Less than 400 ...................... 1,614 16 21 104 173 216 193 160 232 499

Less than 450 ...................... 2,046 27 38 148 232 266 245 214 278 598

Less than 500 ...................... 2,459 41 59 185 285 307 297 258 329 698

Less than 600 ...................... 3,053 74 131 244 341 376 348 317 389 833

Less than 650 ...................... 3,275 83 172 261 360 403 369 342 419 866

Less than 700 ...................... 3,455 100 198 276 381 423 379 361 433 904

Less than 750 ...................... 3,596 121 212 288 386 439 391 373 441 945

Less than 800 ...................... 3,705 135 230 297 397 448 398 382 451 967

Less than 850 ...................... 3,782 149 246 304 401 453 403 384 456 986

Less than 900 ...................... 3,850 164 259 312 404 461 407 388 459 996

Less than 950 ...................... 3,894 174 270 315 405 462 409 391 461 1,007

Less than 1,000 ................... 3,940 186 278 317 405 463 412 394 465 1,020

Less than 1,500 ................... 4,050 212 301 325 405 466 417 402 474 1,048

Less than 2,000 ................... 4,063 214 303 326 405 467 418 403 476 1,051

Less than 4,000 ................... 4,067 214 304 326 405 467 418 403 476 1,054

Less than 100,000 ............... 4,070 214 305 326 405 467 418 403 476 1,056

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 73

See footnotes at end of table.
Table VIII. Sample sizes for persons 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and

age: United States 1991-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 3,865 300 575 653 540 627 434 241 272 223

Less than 80 ........................ 2 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... 2 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 150 ...................... 13 1 1 1 2 3 2 -- 1 2

Less than 200 ...................... 39111788445

Less than 250 ...................... 105 1 1 10 13 29 15 9 11 16

Less than 300 ...................... 237 2 3 35 34 58 29 19 25 32

Less than 350 ...................... 472 4 8 71 85 112 55 37 48 52

Less than 400 ...................... 742 10 20 118 143 171 86 55 69 70

Less than 450 ...................... 1,068 18 30 172 193 248 137 75 98 97

Less than 500 ...................... 1,375 25 58 230 245 302 188 93 117 117

Less than 600 ...................... 2,028 55 130 359 348 425 269 140 154 148

Less than 650 ...................... 2,323 74 183 411 394 467 302 158 175 159

Less than 700 ...................... 2,566 89 219 454 417 510 332 177 196 172

Less than 750 ...................... 2,797 103 278 499 445 540 351 189 210 182

Less than 800 ...................... 3,005 125 324 532 473 561 375 202 223 190

Less than 850 ...................... 3,192 165 363 563 493 577 392 214 230 195

Less than 900 ...................... 3,318 184 398 585 504 586 401 220 239 201

Less than 950 ...................... 3,431 201 435 597 514 597 409 227 247 204

Less than 1,000 ................... 3,498 212 460 608 519 600 412 231 248 208

Less than 1,500 ................... 3,805 283 561 645 535 625 429 239 268 220

Less than 2,000 ................... 3,859 298 575 652 540 627 432 241 271 223

Less than 4,000 ................... 3,863 300 575 653 540 627 432 241 272 223

Less than 100,000 ............... 3,865 300 575 653 540 627 434 241 272 223

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 3,313 308 376 491 595 475 364 173 328 203

Less than 80 ........................ 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 2 1

Less than 100 ...................... 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 3 2

Less than 150 ...................... 17 -- -- -- 2 3 1 1 4 6

Less than 200 ...................... 58 -- 1 6 10 8 7 2 9 15

Less than 250 ...................... 147 -- 2 15 33 19 17 7 27 27

Less than 300 ...................... 323 1 5 39 83 42 37 18 55 43

Less than 350 ...................... 604 2 10 79 163 90 73 28 92 67

Less than 400 ...................... 933 7 20 152 233 141 128 45 125 82

Less than 450 ...................... 1,271 15 31 206 298 205 179 74 159 104

Less than 500 ...................... 1,607 30 53 264 363 269 221 97 194 116

Less than 600 ...................... 2,146 78 118 341 464 366 275 120 244 140

Less than 650 ...................... 2,350 105 146 380 495 390 292 133 255 154

Less than 700 ...................... 2,527 129 191 408 515 404 309 143 267 161

Less than 750 ...................... 2,685 146 230 434 542 419 323 148 277 166

Less than 800 ...................... 2,823 175 266 455 554 431 332 152 286 172

Less than 850 ...................... 2,920 200 289 468 564 440 337 153 294 175

Less than 900 ...................... 2,984 216 308 468 570 448 341 156 298 179

Less than 950 ...................... 3,035 236 320 475 570 450 343 158 304 179

Less than 1,000 ................... 3,086 250 335 478 578 452 345 159 307 182

Less than 1,500 ................... 3,239 300 375 490 590 460 351 166 319 188

Less than 2,000 ................... 3,268 306 376 490 592 465 357 169 321 192

Less than 4,000 ................... 3,282 308 376 490 593 467 360 170 323 195

Less than 100,000 ............... 3,313 308 376 491 595 475 364 173 328 203

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 74 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table IX. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and 

age: United States 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 5,431 441 687 734 747 686 557 354 573 652

Less than 80 ........................ 10 1 1 1 -- -- -- 1 1 5

Less than 100 ...................... 16 1 1 1 1 1 -- 3 1 7

Less than 150 ...................... 44 1 1 1 2 4 3 4 7 21

Less than 200 ...................... 115 1 2 5 15 8 13 8 21 42

Less than 250 ...................... 311 3 3 24 31 26 39 21 66 98

Less than 300 ...................... 615 5 5 56 86 57 79 45 126 156

Less than 350 ...................... 1,077 6 13 115 164 127 135 76 189 252

Less than 400 ...................... 1,588 18 32 197 250 209 202 117 255 308

Less than 450 ...................... 2,154 37 54 271 336 301 283 173 315 384

Less than 500 ...................... 2,675 55 86 359 422 372 355 211 373 442

Less than 600 ...................... 3,529 104 201 499 559 503 437 268 443 515

Less than 650 ...................... 3,862 139 260 554 605 548 460 287 471 538

Less than 700 ...................... 4,165 171 323 598 637 588 487 304 498 559

Less than 750 ...................... 4,414 204 384 636 665 617 502 315 513 578

Less than 800 ...................... 4,628 235 442 663 695 636 517 323 522 595

Less than 850 ...................... 4,811 289 494 682 711 649 523 328 531 604

Less than 900 ...................... 4,929 308 531 697 720 658 530 333 539 613

Less than 950 ...................... 5,033 331 571 707 724 665 537 337 546 615

Less than 1,000 ................... 5,115 351 594 715 732 670 540 339 549 625

Less than 1,500 ................... 5,370 429 679 731 743 683 548 349 567 641

Less than 2,000 ................... 5,410 441 686 733 746 685 554 351 569 645

Less than 4,000 ................... 5,419 441 687 734 746 686 555 352 571 647

Less than 100,000 ............... 5,431 441 687 734 747 686 557 354 573 652

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 1,746 100 159 145 176 170 179 152 245 420

Less than 80 ........................ 6 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 4

Less than 100 ...................... 7 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 5

Less than 150 ...................... 24 -- -- 1 -- -- -- 1 6 16

Less than 200 ...................... 60 -- -- 2 4 1 3 4 14 32

Less than 250 ...................... 161 2 -- 5 7 8 13 11 38 77

Less than 300 ...................... 296 2 -- 10 23 17 31 25 71 117

Less than 350 ...................... 486 2 2 20 43 43 55 39 97 185

Less than 400 ...................... 678 9 7 38 62 72 77 61 132 220

Less than 450 ...................... 881 16 14 58 83 94 102 90 160 264

Less than 500 ...................... 1,075 22 24 79 115 115 130 102 186 302

Less than 600 ...................... 1,337 35 64 111 148 141 155 122 211 350

Less than 650 ...................... 1,425 39 84 120 155 149 161 131 227 359

Less than 700 ...................... 1,492 43 100 127 164 155 165 137 232 369

Less than 750 ...................... 1,549 57 106 130 166 163 167 144 234 382

Less than 800 ...................... 1,596 66 117 135 172 163 171 146 235 391

Less than 850 ...................... 1,629 71 128 137 174 164 172 147 239 397

Less than 900 ...................... 1,654 76 132 142 175 166 174 149 240 400

Less than 950 ...................... 1,674 81 140 142 176 167 176 149 241 402

Less than 1,000 ................... 1,693 86 145 142 176 168 177 149 242 408

Less than 1,500 ................... 1,738 98 157 145 176 169 179 152 245 417

Less than 2,000 ................... 1,743 100 158 145 176 170 179 152 245 418

Less than 4,000 ................... 1,745 100 159 145 176 170 179 152 245 419

Less than 100,000 ............... 1,746 100 159 145 176 170 179 152 245 420

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 75

See footnotes at end of table.
Table IX. Sample sizes for males 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and 

age: United States 1991-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 1,754 157 288 307 227 258 169 102 137 109

Less than 80 ........................ 2 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... 2 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 150 ...................... 3 1 1 -- -- -- 1 -- -- --

Less than 200 ...................... 12 1 1 -- 3 1 3 1 1 1

Less than 250 ...................... 42 1 1 5 5 6 10 3 7 4

Less than 300 ...................... 104 2 2 19 14 17 16 8 13 13

Less than 350 ...................... 207 3 4 39 26 37 28 18 29 23

Less than 400 ...................... 337 6 12 63 48 66 42 25 42 33

Less than 450 ...................... 488 10 15 88 74 96 63 37 55 50

Less than 500 ...................... 627 15 26 120 94 109 87 45 68 63

Less than 600 ...................... 909 28 61 183 139 166 107 65 83 77

Less than 650 ...................... 1,037 40 84 204 159 185 118 72 91 84

Less than 700 ...................... 1,166 53 104 227 170 207 130 80 105 90

Less than 750 ...................... 1,274 59 139 249 179 222 138 82 112 94

Less than 800 ...................... 1,375 72 163 262 197 233 148 87 117 96

Less than 850 ...................... 1,463 100 182 273 207 239 152 91 120 99

Less than 900 ...................... 1,517 106 200 283 212 242 156 93 124 101

Less than 950 ...................... 1,570 112 224 287 215 248 160 95 128 101

Less than 1,000 ................... 1,601 115 236 293 218 250 161 97 129 102

Less than 1,500 ................... 1,729 150 283 304 224 258 166 102 135 107

Less than 2,000 ................... 1,752 157 288 306 227 258 168 102 137 109

Less than 4,000 ................... 1,753 157 288 307 227 258 168 102 137 109

Less than 100,000 ............... 1,754 157 288 307 227 258 169 102 137 109

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 1,677 158 199 244 306 228 190 81 168 103

Less than 80 ........................ 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- --

Less than 100 ...................... 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1

Less than 150 ...................... 9 -- -- -- 1 2 1 1 -- 4

Less than 200 ...................... 28 -- -- 2 5 4 5 1 3 8

Less than 250 ...................... 79 -- 1 11 13 9 12 4 15 14

Less than 300 ...................... 176 1 2 22 39 18 26 9 36 23

Less than 350 ...................... 325 1 5 45 83 41 45 14 54 37

Less than 400 ...................... 497 3 10 80 122 65 76 24 72 45

Less than 450 ...................... 692 10 19 108 159 102 109 38 89 58

Less than 500 ...................... 860 17 28 140 188 137 128 52 106 64

Less than 600 ...................... 1,123 37 60 178 239 179 159 65 131 75

Less than 650 ...................... 1,222 53 75 197 257 192 163 68 135 82

Less than 700 ...................... 1,315 68 100 210 267 198 173 71 142 86

Less than 750 ...................... 1,394 81 118 221 284 204 178 73 148 87

Less than 800 ...................... 1,453 89 138 230 289 212 179 74 150 92

Less than 850 ...................... 1,505 107 154 235 293 218 180 74 152 92

Less than 900 ...................... 1,534 113 165 235 295 222 181 75 154 94

Less than 950 ...................... 1,558 122 172 240 295 222 182 76 155 94

Less than 1,000 ................... 1,587 133 178 242 300 223 183 76 156 96

Less than 1,500 ................... 1,651 156 198 244 305 226 184 77 164 97

Less than 2,000 ................... 1,661 158 199 244 305 227 188 78 164 98

Less than 4,000 ................... 1,667 158 199 244 305 228 189 79 166 99

Less than 100,000 ............... 1,677 158 199 244 306 228 190 81 168 103

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

Page 76 [ Series 11, No. 243
Table X. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and

age: United States 1991-94

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 All racial-ethnic groups1

Total ..................................... 6,420 436 640 828 876 964 710 525 558 883

Less than 80 ........................ 6 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 2 3

Less than 100 ...................... 12 -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- 4 6

Less than 150 ...................... 51 -- -- 2 5 5 6 2 7 24

Less than 200 ...................... 143 -- 1 9 21 18 18 10 15 51

Less than 250 ...................... 366 -- 1 20 66 56 40 34 44 105

Less than 300 ...................... 743 -- 8 59 130 119 85 70 76 196

Less than 350 ...................... 1,293 7 21 116 235 231 147 108 140 288

Less than 400 ...................... 1,880 15 38 206 332 343 223 163 193 367

Less than 450 ...................... 2,467 25 58 295 429 449 302 217 248 444

Less than 500 ...................... 3,049 44 100 369 521 543 378 273 300 521

Less than 600 ...................... 4,086 114 205 515 658 717 491 356 387 643

Less than 650 ...................... 4,511 142 271 577 710 776 542 393 421 679

Less than 700 ...................... 4,841 167 321 621 744 824 576 427 443 718

Less than 750 ...................... 5,147 189 376 669 780 857 606 449 463 758

Less than 800 ...................... 5,409 226 423 707 803 881 633 470 488 778

Less than 850 ...................... 5,608 255 456 740 823 899 658 481 499 797

Less than 900 ...................... 5,764 288 493 756 836 915 668 489 509 810

Less than 950 ...................... 5,881 317 514 770 844 922 674 498 520 822

Less than 1,000 ................... 5,974 337 541 779 851 924 679 504 525 834

Less than 1,500 ................... 6,324 420 629 821 870 949 700 519 549 867

Less than 2,000 ................... 6,382 432 639 827 874 955 704 524 554 873

Less than 4,000 ................... 6,396 436 639 827 875 956 706 524 555 878

Less than 100,000 ............... 6,420 436 640 828 876 964 710 525 558 883

 Non-Hispanic white

Total ..................................... 2,324 114 146 181 229 297 239 251 231 636

Less than 80 ........................ 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2

Less than 100 ...................... 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 5

Less than 150 ...................... 26 -- -- -- 2 -- 3 1 1 19

Less than 200 ...................... 73 -- -- 1 11 6 8 4 5 38

Less than 250 ...................... 206 -- -- 7 36 20 23 18 25 77

Less than 300 ...................... 412 -- 1 20 59 45 53 40 40 154

Less than 350 ...................... 675 5 6 40 89 92 84 65 73 221

Less than 400 ...................... 936 7 14 66 111 144 116 99 100 279

Less than 450 ...................... 1,165 11 24 90 149 172 143 124 118 334

Less than 500 ...................... 1,384 19 35 106 170 192 167 156 143 396

Less than 600 ...................... 1,716 39 67 133 193 235 193 195 178 483

Less than 650 ...................... 1,850 44 88 141 205 254 208 211 192 507

Less than 700 ...................... 1,963 57 98 149 217 268 214 224 201 535

Less than 750 ...................... 2,047 64 106 158 220 276 224 229 207 563

Less than 800 ...................... 2,109 69 113 162 225 285 227 236 216 576

Less than 850 ...................... 2,153 78 118 167 227 289 231 237 217 589

Less than 900 ...................... 2,196 88 127 170 229 295 233 239 219 596

Less than 950 ...................... 2,220 93 130 173 229 295 233 242 220 605

Less than 1,000 ................... 2,247 100 133 175 229 295 235 245 223 612

Less than 1,500 ................... 2,312 114 144 180 229 297 238 250 229 631

Less than 2,000 ................... 2,320 114 145 181 229 297 239 251 231 633

Less than 4,000 ................... 2,322 114 145 181 229 297 239 251 231 635

Less than 100,000 ............... 2,324 114 146 181 229 297 239 251 231 636

Series 11, No. 243 [ Page 77

See footnotes at end of table.
Table X. Sample sizes for females 4 years and over by race-ethnicity, selected serum vitamin B12 cutoffs, and

age: United States 1991-94-Con.

Race-ethnicity

and selected serum

vitamin B12 cutoff

4 years

and over

4-5

years

6-11

years

12-19

years

20-29

years

30-39

years

40-49

years

50-59

years

60-69

years

70 years

and over

 Non-Hispanic black

Total ..................................... 2,111 143 287 346 313 369 265 139 135 114

Less than 80 ........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 100 ...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Less than 150 ...................... 10 -- -- 1 2 3 1 -- 1 2

Less than 200 ...................... 27 -- -- 1 4 7 5 3 3 4

Less than 250 ...................... 63 -- -- 5 8 23 5 6 4 12

Less than 300 ...................... 133 -- 1 16 20 41 13 11 12 19

Less than 350 ...................... 265 1 4 32 59 75 27 19 19 29

Less than 400 ...................... 405 4 8 55 95 105 44 30 27 37

Less than 450 ...................... 580 8 15 84 119 152 74 38 43 47

Less than 500 ...................... 748 10 32 110 151 193 101 48 49 54

Less than 600 ...................... 1,119 27 69 176 209 259 162 75 71 71

Less than 650 ...................... 1,286 34 99 207 235 282 184 86 84 75

Less than 700 ...................... 1,400 36 115 227 247 303 202 97 91 82

Less than 750 ...................... 1,523 44 139 250 266 318 213 107 98 88

Less than 800 ...................... 1,630 53 161 270 276 328 227 115 106 94

Less than 850 ...................... 1,729 65 181 290 286 338 240 123 110 96

Less than 900 ...................... 1,801 78 198 302 292 344 245 127 115 100

Less than 950 ...................... 1,861 89 211 310 299 349 249 132 119 103

Less than 1,000 ................... 1,897 97 224 315 301 350 251 134 119 106

Less than 1,500 ................... 2,076 133 278 341 311 367 263 137 133 113

Less than 2,000 ................... 2,107 141 287 346 313 369 264 139 134 114

Less than 4,000 ................... 2,110 143 287 346 313 369 264 139 135 114

Less than 100,000 ............... 2,111 143 287 346 313 369 265 139 135 114

 Mexican American

Total ..................................... 1,636 150 177 247 289 247 174 92 160 100

Less than 80 ........................ 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 1

Less than 100 ...................... 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3 1

Less than 150 ...................... 8 -- -- -- 1 1 -- -- 4 2

Less than 200 ...................... 30 -- 1 4 5 4 2 1 6 7

Less than 250 ...................... 68 -- 1 4 20 10 5 3 12 13

Less than 300 ...................... 147 -- 3 17 44 24 11 9 19 20

Less than 350 ...................... 279 1 5 34 80 49 28 14 38 30

Less than 400 ...................... 436 4 10 72 111 76 52 21 53 37

Less than 450 ...................... 579 5 12 98 139 103 70 36 70 46

Less than 500 ...................... 747 13 25 124 175 132 93 45 88 52

Less than 600 ...................... 1,023 41 58 163 225 187 116 55 113 65

Less than 650 ...................... 1,128 52 71 183 238 198 129 65 120 72

Less than 700 ...................... 1,212 61 91 198 248 206 136 72 125 75

Less than 750 ...................... 1,291 65 112 213 258 215 145 75 129 79

Less than 800 ...................... 1,370 86 128 225 265 219 153 78 136 80

Less than 850 ...................... 1,415 93 135 233 271 222 157 79 142 83

Less than 900 ...................... 1,450 103 143 233 275 226 160 81 144 85

Less than 950 ...................... 1,477 114 148 235 275 228 161 82 149 85

Less than 1,000 ................... 1,499 117 157 236 278 229 162 83 151 86

Less than 1,500 ................... 1,588 144 177 246 285 234 167 89 155 91

Less than 2,000 ................... 1,607 148 177 246 287 238 169 91 157 94

Less than 4,000 ................... 1,615 150 177 246 288 239 171 91 157 96

Less than 100,000 ............... 1,636 150 177 247 289 247 174 92 160 100

-- Quantity less than one.

1 Includes all other racial-ethnic groups not listed separately.

NOTE: Pregnant women are excluded.

Page 78 [ Series 11, No. 243
Vital and Health Statistics

series descriptions

SERIES 1. Programs and Collection Procedures—These reports

describe the data collection programs of the National Center

for Health Statistics. They include descriptions of the methods

used to collect and process the data, definitions, and other

material necessary for understanding the data.

SERIES 2. Data Evaluation and Methods Research—These reports

are studies of new statistical methods and include analytical

techniques, objective evaluations of reliability of collected

data, and contributions to statistical theory. These studies also

include experimental tests of new survey methods and

comparisons of U.S. methodology with those of other

countries.

SERIES 3. Analytical and Epidemiological Studies—These reports

present analytical or interpretive studies based on vital and

health statistics. These reports carry the analyses further than

the expository types of reports in the other series.

SERIES 4. Documents and Committee Reports—These are final

reports of major committees concerned with vital and health

statistics and documents such as recommended model vital

registration laws and revised birth and death certificates.

SERIES 5. International Vital and Health Statistics Reports—These

reports are analytical or descriptive reports that compare U.S.

vital and health statistics with those of other countries or

present other international data of relevance to the health

statistics system of the United States.

SERIES 6. Cognition and Survey Measurement—These reports are

from the National Laboratory for Collaborative Research in

Cognition and Survey Measurement. They use methods of

cognitive science to design, evaluate, and test survey

instruments.

SERIES 10. Data From the National Health Interview Survey—These

reports contain statistics on illness; unintentional injuries;

disability; use of hospital, medical, and other health services;

and a wide range of special current health topics covering

many aspects of health behaviors, health status, and health

care utilization. They are based on data collected in a

continuing national household interview survey.

SERIES 11. Data From the National Health Examination Survey, the

National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, and

the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey—

Data from direct examination, testing, and measurement on

representative samples of the civilian noninstitutionalized

population provide the basis for (1) medically defined total

prevalence of specific diseases or conditions in the United

States and the distributions of the population with respect to

physical, physiological, and psychological characteristics, and

(2) analyses of trends and relationships among various

measurements and between survey periods.

SERIES 12. Data From the Institutionalized Population Surveys—

Discontinued in 1975. Reports from these surveys are

included in Series 13.

SERIES 13. Data From the National Health Care Survey—These

reports contain statistics on health resources and the public’s

use of health care resources including ambulatory, hospital,

and long-term care services based on data collected directly

from health care providers and provider records.

SERIES 14. Data on Health Resources: Manpower and Facilities—

Discontinued in 1990. Reports on the numbers, geographic

distribution, and characteristics of health resources are now

included in Series 13.

SERIES 15. Data From Special Surveys—These reports contain

statistics on health and health-related topics collected in

special surveys that are not part of the continuing data

systems of the National Center for Health Statistics.

SERIES 16. Compilations of Advance Data From Vital and Health

Statistics—Advance Data Reports provide early release of

information from the National Center for Health Statistics’

health and demographic surveys. They are compiled in the

order in which they are published. Some of these releases

may be followed by detailed reports in Series 10–13.

SERIES 20. Data on Mortality—These reports contain statistics on

mortality that are not included in regular, annual, or monthly

reports. Special analyses by cause of death, age, other

demographic variables, and geographic and trend analyses

are included.

SERIES 21. Data on Natality, Marriage, and Divorce—These reports

contain statistics on natality, marriage, and divorce that are

not included in regular, annual, or monthly reports. Special

analyses by health and demographic variables and

geographic and trend analyses are included.

SERIES 22. Data From the National Mortality and Natality Surveys—

Discontinued in 1975. Reports from these sample surveys,

based on vital records, are now published in Series 20 or 21.

SERIES 23. Data From the National Survey of Family Growth—

These reports contain statistics on factors that affect birth

rates, including contraception, infertility, cohabitation,

marriage, divorce, and remarriage; adoption; use of medical

care for family planning and infertility; and related maternal

and infant health topics. These statistics are based on

national surveys of women of childbearing age.

SERIES 24. Compilations of Data on Natality, Mortality, Marriage,

Divorce, and Induced Terminations of Pregnancy—

These include advance reports of births, deaths, marriages,

and divorces based on final data from the National Vital

Statistics System that were published as supplements to the

Monthly Vital Statistics Report (MVSR). These reports provide

highlights and summaries of detailed data subsequently

published in Vital Statistics of the United States. Other

supplements to the MVSR published here provide selected

findings based on final data from the National Vital Statistics

System and may be followed by detailed reports in Series 20

or 21.

For answers to questions about this report or for a list of reports published

in these series, contact:

Data Dissemination Branch

National Center for Health Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

6525 Belcrest Road, Room 1064

Hyattsville, MD 20782-2003

(301) 436–8500

E-mail: nchsquery@cdc.gov

Internet: www.cdc.gov/nchswww/
DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1693, Series 11, No. 2439-0109 (12/98)

COVER 4

PRINTER: ADJUST SPINE TO FIT

PRINTER:

POSITIVE ART FOR BACK COVER (cover 4): PRINT SOLID PMSNEGATIVE ART FOR FRONT COVER (cover 1): PRINT SOLID PMS