Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiency in Vietnamese: Recommendations for an Intervention Strategy

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2016;62(1):1-5. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.62.1.

Abstract

In recent years, reports have described various roles of vitamin D in human health. Vitamin D deficiency has emerged as a significant public health problem throughout the world. Even in the Vietnamese context, it has been reported to be present in a majority of the population in spite of the wide availability of sunlight. Vitamin D and calcium are essential nutrients for bone health. The proposed health benefits of vitamin D and calcium have attracted increased interest from health care professionals, the media, and the public. The aim of this paper is to summarize the published data on vitamin D and calcium intake as well as on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Vietnamese population, and to provide recommendations for a proper strategy to control calcium and vitamin D deficiency in this population. The national authorities should adopt policies aimed at improving vitamin D and calcium status by using measures such as dietary recommendations, food fortification, vitamin D supplementation, and judicious sun exposure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Calcium / administration & dosage
  • Calcium / deficiency*
  • Calcium / physiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Food, Fortified
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Pregnancy
  • Sunlight
  • Vietnam / epidemiology
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / physiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / prevention & control
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / therapy

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium