Trends in vitamin D intake between 1980 and 2002 among adults in the Minneapolis St Paul, MN metropolitan area

Abstract

Trends in dietary vitamin D intake from 1980–82 to 2000–02 were examined using data collected from the Minnesota Heart Survey, a surveillance study of trends in risk factors for cardiovascular disease among probability samples of adults in the Minneapolis‐St Paul, MN metropolitan area. Surveys were conducted in 1980–82, 1985–87, 1990–92, 1995–97, and 2000–02. Twenty‐four hour recalls were collected to assess dietary intake, with most data collection procedures employed consistently across survey periods. Results indicate that vitamin D intake from dietary sources decreased between 1980–82 and 2000–02. Among men age‐adjusted mean vitamin D intake decreased from 7.3 mcg/day in 1980–82 to 6.0 mcg/day in 2000–02 (p <0.001). Among women vitamin D intake decreased from 4.8 mcg/day to 4.5 mcg/day over the same time period (p=0.004). These trends were generally consistent across age, education level, race, and body mass index strata. It is possible that declines in vitamin D intake from dietary sources have been offset by increased use of dietary supplements containing vitamin D. However, we were unable to fully explore this possibility due to the limited information available in our survey regarding dietary supplement use. In summary, results suggest that the vitamin D content of the diet has been on the decline over the past twenty years, potentially contributing to the resurfacing of vitamin D deficiency in the U.S.