Dataset Information

Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian adolescents and young adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern worldwide. Maintaining vitamin D sufficiency during growth periods is essential. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in Australian adolescents and young adults.

Subject/methods

We used data from adolescents (12-17 years, n?=?692) and young adults (18-24 years, n?=?400) who participated in the nationally representative 2011-2013 Australian Health Survey. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were measured using a method certified to international standards, with prevalence reported for <50 (vitamin D deficiency), 50-<75, ?75 and >125?nmol/L. Independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency were determined using a survey-weighted Poisson regression model.

Results

Overall, 17% of adolescents and 32% of young adults were vitamin D deficient. In models adjusted for sex, age, region of birth, socioeconomic status, BMI and season (and education, smoking status and physical activity in young adults only), the prevalence ratio (PR) for vitamin D deficiency was more than double in participants born outside Australia (adolescents: PR 2.46; 95% confidence interval (CI)?=?1.59, 3.81; young adults: PR 2.12; 95% CI?=?1.46, 3.07), and also varied by season (adolescents: spring vs summer PR 2.47; 95% CI?=?1.22, 5.01 and winter vs summer PR 2.01; 95% CI?=?1.03, 3.92; young adults: winter vs summer; PR 3.32; 95% CI?=?1.69, 6.53). Other predictors of vitamin D deficiency were overweight compared with healthy weight (adolescents) and lower physical activity (young adults).

Conclusions

Strategies based on safe sun exposure and dietary approaches are needed to achieve and maintain adequate vitamin D status, particularly in young adults.

SUBMITTER: Horton-French K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7917958 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian adolescents and young adults.

Horton-French Kahlea K Dunlop Eleanor E Lucas Robyn M RM Pereira Gavin G Black Lucinda J LJ

European journal of clinical nutrition 20210301 11

<h4>Background/objectives</h4>Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern worldwide. Maintaining vitamin D sufficiency during growth periods is essential. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in Australian adolescents and young adults.<h4>Subject/methods</h4>We used data from adolescents (12-17 years, n = 692) and young adults (18-24 years, n = 400) who participated in the nationally representative 2011-2013 Australian Health Survey. Serum 25-hydroxyvit ...[more]

PMID: 33649524

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Project description:BackgroundChildren living in sub-Saharan Africa have a high burden of rickets and infectious diseases, conditions that are linked to vitamin D deficiency. However, data on the vitamin D status of young African children and its environmental and genetic predictors are limited. We aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in young African children.MethodsWe measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and typed the single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs4588 and rs7041, in the GC gene encoding the vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in 4509 children aged 0-8 years living in Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso, The Gambia and South Africa. We evaluated associations between vitamin D status and country, age, sex, season, anthropometric indices, inflammation, malaria and DBP haplotypes in regression analyses.ResultsMedian age was 23.9 months (interquartile range [IQR] 12.3, 35.9). Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency using 25(OH)D cut-offs of < 30 nmol/L and < 50 nmol/L was 0.6% (95% CI 0.4, 0.9) and 7.8% (95% CI 7.0, 8.5), respectively. Overall median 25(OH)D level was 77.6 nmol/L (IQR 63.6, 94.2). 25(OH)D levels were lower in South Africa, in older children, during winter or the long rains, and in those with afebrile malaria, and higher in children with inflammation. 25(OH)D levels did not vary by stunting, wasting or underweight in adjusted regression models. The distribution of Gc variants was Gc1f 83.3%, Gc1s 8.5% and Gc2 8.2% overall and varied by country. Individuals carrying the Gc2 variant had lower median 25(OH)D levels (72.4 nmol/L (IQR 59.4, 86.5) than those carrying the Gc1f (77.3 nmol/L (IQR 63.5, 92.8)) or Gc1s (78.9 nmol/L (IQR 63.8, 95.5)) variants.ConclusionsApproximately 0.6% and 7.8% of young African children were vitamin D deficient as defined by 25(OH)D levels < 30 nmol/L and < 50 nmol/L, respectively. Latitude, age, season, and prevalence of inflammation and malaria should be considered in strategies to assess and manage vitamin D deficiency in young children living in Africa.

Dataset Information

Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian adolescents and young adults.

Background/objectives

Subject/methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian adolescents and young adults.

Similar Datasets

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