Vitamin D status in the United States, 2011–2014

Abstract

Background Vitamin D is important for bone health; in 2014 it was the fifth most commonly ordered laboratory test among Medicare Part B payments. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe vitamin D status in the US population in 2011–2014 and trends from 2003 to 2014. Methods We used serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D data from NHANES 2011–2014 (n = 16,180), and estimated the prevalence at risk of deficiency (<30 nmol/L) or prevalence at risk of inadequacy (30–49 nmol/L) by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, and dietary intake of vitamin D. We also present trends between 2003 and 2014. Results In 2011–2014, the percentage aged ≥1 y at risk of vitamin D deficiency or inadequacy was 5.0% (95% CI: 4.1%, 6.2%) and 18.3% (95% CI: 16.2%, 20.6%). The prevalence of at risk of deficiency was lowest among children aged 1–5 y (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.3%, 1.1%), peaked among adults aged 20–39 y (7.6%; 95% CI: 6.0%, 9.6%), and fell to 2.9% (95% CI: 2.0%, 4.0%) among adults aged ≥60 y; the prevalence of at risk of inadequacy was similar. The prevalence of at risk of deficiency was higher among non-Hispanic black (17.5%; 95% CI: 15.2%, 20.0%) than among non-Hispanic Asian (7.6%; 95% CI: 5.9%, 9.9%), non-Hispanic white (2.1%; 95% CI: 1.5%, 2.7%), and Hispanic (5.9%; 95% CI: 4.4%, 7.8%) persons; the prevalence of at risk of inadequacy was similar. Persons with higher vitamin D dietary intake or who used supplements had lower prevalences of at risk of deficiency or inadequacy. From 2003 to 2014 there was no change in the risk of vitamin D deficiency; the risk of inadequacy declined from 21.0% (95% CI: 17.9%, 24.5%) to 17.7% (95% CI: 16.0%, 19.7%). Conclusion The prevalence of at risk of vitamin D deficiency in the United States remained stable from 2003 to 2014; at risk of inadequacy declined. Differences in vitamin D status by race and Hispanic origin warrant additional investigation.

Effects of Supplemental Vitamin D on Bone Health Outcomes in Women and Men in the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL)

“…The mean baseline 25(OH)D level of participants in this VITAL ancillary study was 69.1 nmol/L, 18.0% had 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L, and 3.1% <30 nmol/L ( n = 25). This is consistent with recent US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2011–2014) showing that 2.9% of the population ≥60 years have 25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/L . Because a small percentage of older US adults have profound vitamin D deficiency, it would be neither ethical nor feasible to perform a supplemental vitamin D 3 placebo‐controlled study in this population.…”

“…Recent estimates of vitamin D status among US middle‐age to older adults show that approximately 20% have 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L . Higher proportions of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency have been reported among black adults (reduced cutaneous vitamin D synthesis), obese individuals (vitamin D sequestration in fat tissue), and older adults …”

The Relationship between Serum Vitamin D Levels, C-Reactive Protein, and Anxiety Symptoms

“…Compared with sufficient vitamin D levels (≥20 ng/mL), insufficient (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19).99 ng/mL) and deficient (<10 ng/mL) vitamin D levels were significantly associated with risk of anxiety symptoms. After adjusting for CRP levels, the results were not changed, and no evidence of interaction between vitamin D and CRP levels was found.…”

“…During the study period, the coefficients of variation of the low-level and high-level Quality Control materials were 3.21-5.65% and 2.10-4.03%, respectively. According to the recent clinical guidelines, serum 25(OH) D levels were categorized into three groups: vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL), insufficiency (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19).99 ng/mL), and sufficiency (≥20 ng/mL). [16][17][18]…”

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Pediatric Risk of Mortality III Scores in Critically Ill Children

“…The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in healthy children has also increased (9)(10)(11)(12)(13); however, most of the studies did not include younger children. There have although been several studies surveyed vitamin D levels in critically ill children (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), but these findings are often different and even contradictory.…”