Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors

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Abstract
Background: Increased awareness of the importance of vitamin D to health has led to concerns about the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in many parts of the world. Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the white British population and to evaluate the influence of key dietary and lifestyle risk factors. Design: We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in 7437 whites from the 1958 British birth cohort when they were 45 y old. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was highest during the winter and spring, when 25(OH)D concentrations P = 0.006, likelihood ratio test for interaction). 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly higher in participants who used vitamin D supplements or oily fish than in those who did not (P < 0.0001 for both) but were not significantly higher in participants who consumed vitamin D–fortified margarine than in those who did not (P = 0.10). 25(OH)D concentrations P < 0.0001 for both). Conclusion: Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the general population was alarmingly high during the winter and spring, which warrants action at a population level rather than at a risk group level.