The first ever national study done on analyzing the level of deficiency status on Vitamin D of Australians revealed a not so positive result to be happy about. Almost one third amongst Australian adults are suffering from the pangs of vitamin D deficiency.

The ones that were discovered to be of highest risk were the women followed by the senior citizens, the obese and those who does not do any physical activity that would go for more than 2.5 hours every week. The ones who did not also come from the European history in their lineage are included in the list of the ones affected.

These results led also to the rising issue of the urgent need for most Australians to make up on their Vitamin D supplies. According to Professor Robin Daly who led the mentioned study and is an honorary fellow for the Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, such deficiency issues on Vitamin D is also a growing health obstacle in the global level.

"Vitamin D deficiency is emerging as a major health problem worldwide. It is clear from the results of our study that, despite an abundance of vitamin D rich sunlight, Australians are not immune from this issue," he said.

"Low levels of vitamin D can contribute to a number of serious, potentially life-threatening, conditions such as softened bones; diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness leading to an increased risk of falls, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.

For the study, the researchers measured the vitamin D levels of 11,218 adults aged 25-95 years from all six states and the Northern Territory as part of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study conducted by the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in 1999-2000.

The study revealed:

  • 31 per cent of the population were vitamin D deficient
  • Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) had levels considered by many experts as below the optimal for musculoskeletal health
  • The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased with age, especially in women; 26 per cent of women aged 25-34 years were deficient which increased to 57 per cent for those aged 75 years and over. This is an important finding as vitamin D deficiency is a key risk factor for falls and fractures in the elderly.
  • People of non-European origin were 4-5 times more likely to be deficient
  • Those who were obese and physically inactive were around twice as likely to be vitamin D deficient

Professor Daly and his co-authors from the University of Melbourne and the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute said it was timely and appropriate to develop national strategies across the whole population and further awareness campaigns for balancing safe sun exposure and adequate vitamin D intake to ensure optimal vitamin D status year-round for all Australians.

The results are published in the journal Clinical Endocrinology.

Notes

In this study vitamin D levels in the blood (also referred to as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) of less than 50 nmol/L represent deficiency and values less than 75 nmol/L represent insufficient level. Levels below 25 nmol/L are considered as severe deficiency.

Ethnicity was categorised into 'Europid' and non-Europid based on country of birth. The majority of participants were categorised as Europids which included those born in Australia, Northern Europe, Canada, USA and New Zealand. Non-Eurpoids included those born in Southern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka, Pacific Islands, Africa and South and Central America.