Vitamin D intake is low and hypovitaminosis D common in healthy 9− to 15-year-old Finnish girls

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Abstract
Objectives: To study the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [S-25(OH)D], and the intakes of vitamin D and calcium in Finnish 9− to 15-year-old athletic and nonathletic girls. Design: 1-year follow-up study (February 1997-March 1998) with three months of vitamin D supplementation (10 μg/d) from October to January. Setting: Turku University Central Hospital, Finland. Subjects: 191 female volunteers aged 9–15 y (131 athletes and 60 controls). Methods: Vitamin D and calcium intakes were estimated by a four-day food recording and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). S-25(OH)D was followed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: At baseline the mean S-25(OH)D concentration was 33.9 nmol/l among all girls. In winter severe hypovitaminosis D (S-25(OH)Dr=0.28, P<0.01). Conclusion: Hypovitaminosis D is fairly common in growing Finnish girls in the wintertime, and three months of vitamin D supplementation with 10 μg/d was insufficient in preventing hypovitaminosis D. The daily dietary vitamin D intake was insufficient (<5 μg/d) in the majority of participants, while the calcium intake was usually sufficient. Sponsorship: Supported by the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, The Turku University Foundation, and the Medical Research Foundation of the Turku University Central Hospital.

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