Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its determinants in Australian adults aged 25 years and older: a national, population-based study

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2012 Jul;77(1):26-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04320.x.

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is recognized as a global public health problem, but the population-based prevalence of deficiency and its determinants in Australian adults is not known. This study evaluated the vitamin D status of Australian adults aged ≥25 years and risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in this population.

Design and patients: We studied a national sample of 11,247 Australian adults enrolled in the 1999/2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study drawn from 42 randomly selected districts throughout Australia.

Measurements: Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured by immunoassay. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a concentration <50 nmol/l. Information on demographic and lifestyle factors was derived from interview-administered questionnaires.

Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 63 nmol/l (95% CI: 59-67 nmol/l). Only 4% of the population had a level <25 nmol/l, but the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/l) was 31% (22% men; 39% women); 73% had levels <75 nmol/l. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased significantly with age, was greater in women, in those of non-Europid origin, in the obese and those who were physically inactive and with a higher level of education. Deficiency was also more common during winter and in people residing in southern Australia (latitude >35°S); 42% of women and 27% of men were deficient during summer-autumn, which increased to 58% and 35%, respectively, during winter-spring.

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia affecting nearly one-third of adults aged ≥25 years. This indicates that strategies are needed at the population level to improve vitamin D status of Australians.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • National Health Programs / statistics & numerical data
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Population
  • Prevalence
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D