Fatty fish and supplements are the greatest modifiable contributors to the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in a multiethnic population

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) 2008-03, Vol.68 (3), p.466-472
• Main Authors: Van Der Meer, Irene M., Boeke, A. Joan P., Lips, Paul, Grootjans-Geerts, Ilse, Wuister, Jan D., Devillé, Walter L. J. M., Wielders, Jos P. M., Bouter, Lex M., Middelkoop, Barend J. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Endocrinopathies; Female; Fish Products - analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hydroxycholecalciferols - administration & dosage; Hydroxycholecalciferols - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Netherlands - ethnology; Sunlight; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - drug therapy; Vitamin D Deficiency - ethnology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.03066.x

Summary Objective  Because vitamin D synthesis is lower in a heavily pigmented skin than in a lighter skin, the relative contribution of determinants to the vitamin D concentration might differ between ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the relative contribution of vitamin D consumption and exposure to sunlight to the vitamin D concentration in a multiethnic population. Design  Cross‐sectional study. Patients  A total of 613 adults aged 18–65 years from a random sample from general practices in the Netherlands (52°N, 2003–05), stratified according to gender and ethnic group. Measurements  Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], PTH, ethnic group, sunlight exposure, consumption of foods and supplements rich in vitamin D. Results  The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D