Nutritional Considerations of Vitamin D Deficiency and Strategies of Food Fortification

Purpose Vitamin D deficiency is a well-recognised public health problem within the UK, with specific population groups more vulnerable to deficiency. Two pilot studies were used to explore awareness of vitamin D deficiency and attitudes towards food fortification. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 120 participants from five at-risk groups (South Asians, Blacks, Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Caucasian older adults over 65 years) plus a group of British Caucasians who do not avoid sun exposure explored awareness of vitamin D, sun exposure knowledge and behaviour and attitudes towards food fortification. The latter group was included to provide a comparison group who were at a reduced risk of deficiency. χ2 was used to test associations between categorical variables and the study groups. The second study used three focus groups and two interviews, conducted on young South Asian females and examined knowledge and awareness of vitamin D and vitamin D-fortified foods. Findings A lack of knowledge and misconceptions were highlighted by both studies in relation to at-risk factors, including sunlight exposure (p = 0.037), dietary intakes (p = 0.0174) and darker skin pigmentation (p = 0.023), sources of vitamin D and the health benefits associated with optimal consumption. Attitudes to mandatory fortification of some foods varied significantly (p = 0.004) between the groups with acceptance rates for Blacks (68 per cent), those over 65 years (50 per cent), Middle Eastern (67 per cent) and Far Eastern (73 per cent), whereas the control (71 per cent) showed no acceptance, and South Asians gave a mixed response (48 per cent No). Focus group findings highlighted positive views towards fortification, although this was less for mandatory as opposed to voluntary fortification. Both pilot studies highlight the need for more research into this area, to create more effective public health policies. Originality/value The research presents novel insights into a topical area where there is limited research.

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Food fortification and biofortification as potential strategies for prevention of vitamin D deficiency

Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1111/nbu.12363 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 36-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Guo ◽

J. A. Lovegrove ◽

D. I. Givens

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Food Fortification

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The Role of Vitamin D in Disease Activity in Axial Spondyloarthritis

EMJ Rheumatology ◽

10.33590/emjrheumatol/20-00071 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 118-127

Author(s):

Geraint Brown ◽

Elena Nikiphorou

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Axial Skeleton ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽

Food Fortification ◽

Autoimmune Conditions ◽

Definition Of ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease which predominantly involves the axial skeleton and sacroiliac joints. The aetiology remains unknown but is thought to be immune driven. Vitamin D is a focus for research in numerous autoimmune conditions, especially because it is now thought to have an important role in immunoregulation. It has been hypothesised that low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of autoimmune disease. Considering that vitamin D is implicated in immune regulation and autoimmunity, a question that arises is whether vitamin D deficiency can lead to increased disease activity in axSpA. Through this narrative review of the literature the authors explore potential links between vitamin D and axSpA. This review highlights that larger and more methodologically robust prospective longitudinal studies are required to answer this key question. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies, including in the definition of vitamin D deficiency, latitude where the study took place, and seasonal variation. Another clinically relevant aspect to address is whether correcting vitamin D deficiency leads to improved makers of disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. This may justify mandatory food fortification and specific supplementation programmes in countries at risk. For example, in Finland there is a low prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the general population because of food fortification.

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