Vitamin D insufficiency is high in Malaysia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on vitamin D status in Malaysia

Purpose: To estimate the vitamin D status of participants residing in Malaysia.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and MyJurnal were searched up to June 2022 without language restrictions. Studies that reported the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and defined their cut-off for deficiency or insufficiency from healthy participants residing in Malaysia were included. The random effects model was used to pool vitamin D status using established cut-offs of < 30, < 50, and < 75 nmol/L according to age group.Results: From 299 studies screened, 32 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion for < 30 nmol/L was 21% (95% CI 9-36, n = 2,438 from 10 studies), while the pooled proportion < 50 nmol/L was 64% (95% CI 56-72, n = 13,977 from 30 studies), and < 75 nmol/L was 85% (95% CI 61-100, n = 1,376 from five studies). Heterogeneity was high (I2 ranged from 98-99%). Higher proportions of vitamin D insufficiency (defined as < 50 nmol/L) were found in participants living in the urban areas (compared to rural areas), in females (compared to males), and in Malays and Malaysian Indians (compared to Malaysian Chinese) ethnicities.Conclusion: More than half of Malaysians have insufficient vitamin D levels, despite being a country that is close to the equator. We strongly urge prompt public health measures to improve the vitamin D status in Malaysia.

Automated summary

This study aimed to estimate the vitamin D status of participants residing in Malaysia. The results showed that despite being close to the equator, more than half of Malaysians have insufficient vitamin D levels. Higher proportions of vitamin D insufficiency were found in participants living in urban areas, females, and Malays and Malaysian Indians ethnicities.