Journal
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM
Volume 47, Issue 1, Pages 91-98Publisher
CANADIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING
DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2021-0203
Keywords
vitamin D; children; South Asian; winter; Canada; Vitamin D Standardization Program; VDSP
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Funding
- Health Canada
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This study examined the vitamin D status of South Asian and European children in Canada and found that South Asian children had lower vitamin D levels. Lower vitamin D levels were also associated with children who had a BMI in the overweight/obese range. Additionally, South Asian children had lower vitamin D intake.
Vitamin D status, measured in a Vitamin D Standardization Program certified laboratory, was assessed among children of South Asian and European ethnicity living in the national capital region of Canada to explore factors that may account for inadequate status. Demographic information, dietary and supplemental vitamin D over 30 d prior to measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and anthropometry were measured (age 6.0-18.9 y; n = 58/group; February-March 2015). No group related differences in age, height and body mass index (BMI) Z-scores or in food vitamin D intakes were observed. Standardized serum 25OHD was lower in South Asian children (mean +/- SD: 39.0 +/- 16.8 nmol/L vs. European: 58.4 +/- 15.8 nmol/L). A greater proportion of South Asian children had serum 25OHD <40 nmol/L (56.9 vs. 8.6%, P < 0.0001) and fewer took supplements (31 vs. 50%, P = 0.0389). In a multi-factorial model (r(2) = 0.54), lower vitamin D status was associated with overweight/obese BMI and older age (14-18 y); no interaction with ethnicity was observed. Lower vitamin D status was associated with lower total vitamin D intake only in South Asian children. This study reinforces the importance of public health actions towards meeting vitamin D intake recommendations among those of high-risk deficiency. Novelty: A higher proportion of South Asian vs. European children had inadequate vitamin D status. Lower vitamin D status was associated with a BMI in the overweight/obese range. Lower vitamin D status was associated with lower total vitamin D intake in South Asian but not European children.
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