Final answer:
Anemia in Betty most likely indicates a deficiency in important vitamins and minerals, specifically iron, vitamin B12, and folate, affecting the red blood cells' capacity to carry oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Betty's doctor tells her she has anemia, it most likely means that she has a deficiency in important vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin B12, or folate in her body. Anemia occurs when there is a lack of adequate red blood cells or hemoglobin, which are necessary for carrying oxygen to the body's tissues. This can lead to symptoms like weakness, fatigue, and poor concentration. Some common causes of anemia include excessive bleeding, inherited disorders, and, most often, nutritional deficiencies. In particular, iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type and is frequently observed in individuals with a diet insufficient in iron, including teens, children, vegans, and vegetarians.