Vitamin D Levels in Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Primary Care.

Abstract

This pilot study examined the distribution of low vitamin D levels among ethnic minority adolescents in primary care to elucidate the clinical needs of this diverse population. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a retrospective patient chart review. Participants were a consecutive sample of 119 ethnically diverse adolescents aged 12-18 years, attending a primary care clinic, who had a wellness examination in 2018 and documented vitamin D levels on the basis of previously collected blood work. Sixty-one percent of adolescents had low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency increased with age, independently of ethnicity or gender. A significant number of ethnically diverse adolescents presented with low vitamin D levels. A need exists to raise awareness among clinicians regarding social determinants of health and culturally sensitive dietary practices to improve vitamin D levels and prevent long-term complications, focusing on adolescent at-risk ethnic groups.