Abstract
BackgroundIn 1998, more than half of the adult population in Germany had serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D [25(OH)D] levels below the common threshold of 50 nmol/l. Since then, there has been a lot of attention for vitamin D in the scientific community, the media and the general population and serum 25(OH)D levels may have increased as a consequence. With data from the ‘German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults’ (DEGS1) the current situation of vitamin D status can be analysed.MethodsDEGS1, a national health survey among adults in Germany conducted by the Robert Koch Institute between 2008 and 2011, included 6,995 persons with available serum 25(OH)D levels. We calculated the proportion of participants with serum 25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/l, 30- < 50 nmol/l and > =50 nmol/l overall and according to age, season and latitude of residence as well as percentiles of serum 25(OH)D according to month of examination. Determinants of vitamin D status were analysed with multiple linear regression models.ResultsMean serum 25(OH)D level was 45.6 nmol/l with no significant sex differences (p = 0.47). 61.6 % of the participants had serum 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/l, 30.2 % had levels <30 nmol/l. During summer, half of the participants had levels > =50 nmol/l, during winter time, 25 % of the participants had levels <30 nmol/l. A significant latitudinal gradient was observed in autumn for men and in winter for women.In multiple linear regression analyses, examination during winter time, residing in northern latitude, non-use of vitamin D supplements, low sport activity, high Body Mass Index (BMI) and high media consumption were independently and significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D levels in both sexes. In addition, among women, significant associations with lower 25(OH)D levels were observed for older age and lower socio-economic status, among men, for low vitamin D intake and more residential traffic.ConclusionsSerum 25(OH)D levels below the threshold of 50 nmol/l are still common among adults in Germany, especially during winter and spring and in higher latitudes. Potentially modifiable factors of poorer vitamin D status are higher BMI, lack of sport activity and high media use.
Highlights
In 1998, more than half of the adult population in Germany had serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D [25(OH)D] levels below the common threshold of 50 nmol/l
There were only few persons with vitamin D supplement intake during the last seven days and vitamin D intake was higher among men than women
Our results demonstrate seasonal as well as latitudinal differences in vitamin D status in Germany which is located between latitudes 47°-55°
Summary
In 1998, more than half of the adult population in Germany had serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D [25(OH)D] levels below the common threshold of 50 nmol/l. As sunlight exposure is the most important determinant for synthesis [26], endogenous vitamin D production is limited in northern latitudes during autumn and winter because of inadequate UVB radiation [13, 65]. This is the case in Germany which is geographically located between latitudes 47° and 55°. Based on data from the previous national health survey for adults (German National Health Interview and Examination Survey, GNHIES98) more than half of the adult population in Germany has serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D [25(OH)D] levels below the common threshold of 50 nmol/l [23]
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