Vitamin D status among families in Denmark: Baseline data from the vitmad study

Katja Howarth Madsen, Heddie Mejborn, Inge Tetens, Elisabeth Wreford Andersen, C. Mølgaard, Rikke Andersen, Lone Banke Rasmussen

Research output: Contribution to journalConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background and objectives:
The beneficial effect of vitamin D in bone health is acknowledged and the vitamin has also been associated with several chronic diseases. It is therefore relevant to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in different groups, and vitamin D statuses within families have not been studied previously. The objective of the present study was to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations among families in Denmark (56 °N) after seasonal UVB peak and to ascertain determining factors.

Methods:
Cross-sectional study with 755 children and adults (4-60 y) recruited as families in the VitmaD study. Blood samples were collected in September-October 2010, and vitamin D status was measured as serum 25(OH)D concentration by LC-MS/MS. Vitamin D intake and life style factors were assessed in self-administered questionnaires. Determinants of vitamin D status were identified in a linear mixed model with family as a random variable.

Results:
Mean (±SD) serum 25(OH)D concentration was 75 ± 20 nmol/l (range 9-162 nmol/l) and only 10 % had 25(OH) D <50 nmol/l. Determinants of serum 25(OH)D were age (p=0.036), BMI class (p=0.001), multi vitamin use (p=0.033), sun behaviour (p=0.005), outdoor stay (p=0.033), sun vacation (p<0.001), and physical activity (p=0.040). Gender (p=0.692) and vitamin D intake (p=0.238) were not associated to serum 25(OH)D.

Conclusions:
The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among families in Denmark was low after seasonal UVB peak. Sun vacation was the strongest determinant for vitamin D status at this time of the year.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberPO2445
JournalAnnals of Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume63
Issue numberSuppl. 1
Pages (from-to)1446
Number of pages1
ISSN0250-6807
Publication statusPublished - 2013
EventIUNS 20th International Congress of Nutrition - Granada, Spain
Duration: 15 Sept 201320 Sept 2013
Conference number: 20
http://icn2013.com/

Conference

ConferenceIUNS 20th International Congress of Nutrition
Number20
Country/TerritorySpain
CityGranada
Period15/09/201320/09/2013
Internet address

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