Is vitamin D deficiency a major global public health problem?

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem worldwide in all age groups, even in those residing in countries with low latitude, where it was generally assumed that UV radiation was adequate enough to prevent this deficiency, and in industrialized countries, where vitamin D fortification has been implemented now for years. However, most countries are still lacking data, particularly population representative data, with very limited information in infants, children, adolescents and pregnant women. Since the number of recent publications is escalating, with a broadening of the geographic diversity, the objective of the present report was to conduct a more recent systematic review of global vitamin D status, with particular emphasis in at risk groups. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed/Medline in April-June 2013 to identify articles on vitamin D status worldwide published in the last 10 years in apparently healthy individuals. Only studies with vitamin D status prevalence were included. If available, the first source selected was population-based or representative samples studies. Clinical trials, case-control studies, case reports or series, reviews, validation studies, letters, editorials, or qualitative studies were excluded. A total of 103 articles were eligible and included in the present report. Maps were created for each age group, providing an updated overview of global vitamin D status. In areas with available data, the prevalence of low vitamin D status is a global problem in all age groups, in particular in girls and women from the Middle East. These maps also evidenced the regions with missing data for each specific population groups. There is striking lack of data in infants, children and adolescents worldwide, and in most countries of South America and Africa. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem in all age groups, particularly in those from the Middle East.

Association between early pregnancy vitamin D status and changes in serum lipid profiles throughout pregnancy

“…Similar prevalences were found in pregnant women in other parts of the world, such as Germany (77%), Belgium (74%), and Pakistan (79%) [20]. The lack of prospective studies investigating the association between vitamin D status and lipid changes throughout pregnancy, combined with the high prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy among women of reproductive age, [20,21] highlight the importance of the current study.…”

“…Vitamin D inadequacy has been described as a pandemic condition and a serious public health problem, with a high prevalence worldwide in adult women, including 77% in Brazil, 73% in Australia, 84% in Scotland, and 83% in Nigeria [20]. Similar prevalences were found in pregnant women in other parts of the world, such as Germany (77%), Belgium (74%), and Pakistan (79%) [20].…”

Association between vitamin D and depressive symptoms varies by season: Results from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)

“…veiling) are known to influence vitamin D skin synthesis (Palacios and Gonzalez, 2014), we attempted to consider these factors using country of birth of participants in the analysis. Drawing on a previous study investigating vitamin D deficiency and immigration background in Germany (Hintzpeter et al, 2008), we grouped country of birth into 'Germany', 'Europe and Western countries' (including USA, Canada, Europe and the former Soviet Union), 'Arab-Islamic countries' (including Turkey, the largest immigrant group in Germany) and 'remaining countries' (including Latin America, Asia and Africa).…”

Analysis of Vitamin D Levels in Blood Serum in Children

“…However, there is a growing number of regions where this data is lacking, especially less data is gathered about children [17]. In Lithuania, the amount of comprehensive data on vitamin D concentration in blood for children is small.…”