Vitamin D Status and Supplementation in Employer-Sponsored Wellness Program.

Abstract

To assess the response to information about vitamin D status by participants enrolled in employer-sponsored wellness programs. A self-reported health risk assessment questionnaire was used to categorize vitamin D supplementation. A total of 50 209 participants of 12 employer-sponsored wellness programs that included vitamin D testing and services provided by Quest Diagnostics in 2014 and 2015. Vitamin D status based on laboratory testing results and responses to vitamin D supplementation in a health risk assessment questionnaire for initial and subsequent years. Among 50 209 participants, 29% had deficient and 37% had suboptimal levels of vitamin D. Many participants appeared to act counter to their informed vitamin D status by starting supplements when vitamin D level was initially optimal (20%) or discontinuing supplements when vitamin D level was initially deficient (36%). Three-quarters of participants who had deficient or suboptimal vitamin D levels and were not taking supplements in 2014 continued not taking supplements in 2015. Deficient and suboptimal vitamin D levels remain prevalent in a working-age population. Many participants do not seem to be taking appropriate actions after receiving vitamin D testing results. Accordingly, employer-sponsored wellness programs have an opportunity to better educate participants.