[Vitamin D intake in a representative sample of Spanish population aged 7-16 years. Differences in the contribution and in the food sources of the vitamin according to age]

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D can play an important role in maintaining bone health and in the prevention of some diseases. Few foods are a natural source of vitamin D and these are not normally consumed, being the most common oily fish and yolk.

Aim: To analyze the intake and sources of vitamin D in schoolchildren aged 7-16 years.

Methods: A representative sample of the Spanish population aged 7-16 years (n = 1,976) selected from ten Spanish provinces was studied. Dietary data were obtained by using a 3-day food record. The body weight and height were measured.

Results and discussion: Mean vitamin D intake (1.63 (0.96-3.35) μg/day) was lower than the recommended intake (RI) in 85.4% of study participants and it was influenced by age (OR = 0.935; IC: 0.889-0.983; p < 0.01). The main sources of vitamin D were eggs (27.7%), followed by cereals (25.8%), fish (20.9%) and dairy products (12.7%). Additionally, it has been found that vitamin D RI can be adequately covered the greater the consumption of fish is (r = 0.734; p < 0.001). Thereby, an increase of one fish serving decreased a 72.5% the odds of not covering vitamin D RI.

Conclusions: Vitamin D intake is lower than the recommended intake in a high percentage of the participants. Having into account that the contribution of vitamin D is mainly determined by fish, an increase in the consumption of this food group would be desirable. Young children merit special attention.