BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cutaneous sun exposure and dietary vitamin D intake are important determinants of vitamin D status. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of a group of healthy adolescent students living in Brazil. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six adolescents, 64 boys and 72 girls, aged 16-20 years old, living in a rural town in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, participated in this study. RESULTS: The mean dietary vitamin D intake was 140 (120-156) IU/day [3.5 (3.0-3.9) microg/day]. Only 14.9% of the students met the daily adequate intake recommendation of vitamin D. Only 27.9% practice physical activity outdoors and 17.6% of the adolescents apply sunscreen daily. The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 73.0 (22.0) nmol/l [29.2 (8.8) ng/ml]. Vitamin D insufficiency was observed in 60% of adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that even in a sunny climate like Brazil the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in adolescents is high. Most likely this is due to low intakes of vitamin D in this group. Due to the limited extent of natural dietary sources of vitamin D, a policy of vitamin D food fortification should be considered in the future, and in the meantime greater use of vitamin D supplements in this population group should be encouraged to provide the increased amounts of this essential nutrient for optimal health.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cutaneous sun exposure and dietary vitamin D intake are important determinants of vitamin D status. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of a group of healthy adolescent students living in Brazil. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six adolescents, 64 boys and 72 girls, aged 16-20 years old, living in a rural town in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, participated in this study. RESULTS: The mean dietary vitamin D intake was 140 (120-156) IU/day [3.5 (3.0-3.9) microg/day]. Only 14.9% of the students met the daily adequate intake recommendation of vitamin D. Only 27.9% practice physical activity outdoors and 17.6% of the adolescents apply sunscreen daily. The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 73.0 (22.0) nmol/l [29.2 (8.8) ng/ml]. Vitamin Dinsufficiency was observed in 60% of adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that even in a sunny climate like Brazil the prevalence of vitamin Dinsufficiency in adolescents is high. Most likely this is due to low intakes of vitamin D in this group. Due to the limited extent of natural dietary sources of vitamin D, a policy of vitamin D food fortification should be considered in the future, and in the meantime greater use of vitamin D supplements in this population group should be encouraged to provide the increased amounts of this essential nutrient for optimal health.
Authors: Diane Gilbert-Diamond; Ana Baylin; Mercedes Mora-Plazas; Constanza Marin; Joanne E Arsenault; Michael D Hughes; Walter C Willett; Eduardo Villamor Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2010-10-06 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Graciela Terán; Washington Cuna; Froilán Brañez; Kristina E M Persson; Martín E Rottenberg; Susanne Nylén; Celeste Rodriguez Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2018-01-01 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Maria Eduarda L Diogenes; Flávia Fioruci Bezerra; Giselda M K Cabello; Pedro H Cabello; Laura M C Mendonça; Astrogildo V Oliveira Júnior; Carmen M Donangelo Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2009-09-16 Impact factor: 3.078