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Ethnic minorities in Britain having their origins in the West Indies, the Indian sub-continent (Asian), China and Africa consume diets which differ in varying degree from those of the indigenous population. These minority groups are in general well nourished and almost certainly share obesity with the host population as their commonest nutritional problem. Infantile rickets and iron deficiency anaemia are seen in a small number of the children of all ethnic minorities. Nutritional deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B,* outside infancy are virtually confined to the Asian population and result from their dietary habit of lacto-vegetarianism. Vitamin D deficiency leading to rickets and osteomalacia is widespread among Asians in Britain. The contribution of dietary factors to rickets and osteomalacia is the subject of current debate. This paper deals mainly with the prevalence, prevention and aetiology of Asian rickets and osteomalacia with particular emphasis on dietary risk factors for the development of these diseases.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Asian women in Britain. Self‐supplementation with vitamin D provides effective prophylaxis. Between 1984‐86 a Health Education campaign promoted vitamin D supplementation by Asian women in Glasgow. Vitamin D supplements were provided at cost‐price in Health Board clinics and a co‐ordinator and four Asian link‐workers promoted the aims of the campaign. Despite the campaign few Asian women presently purchase vitamin D supplements. Serum 25‐OHD and calcium concentrations were significantly lower in a post‐campaing survey (1986) of Asian women than in a pre‐campaign survey (1982‐83). In contrast, the majority of Asian children in the city receive a vitamin D supplement which their mothers perceive as important for their welfare. The failure of the present campaign suggests that early detection and treatment of symptomatic osteomalacia constitutes the only means of reducing the morbidity caused by this disease.

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