title: Vitamin D status of two groups of elderly in Oslo: living in old people's homes and living in own homes.
abstract: Vitamin D status of two groups of elderly was determined by measuring serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD), and dietary and supplemental vitamin D intake. Group A consisted of 35 women (mean age 86 years), and 21 men (mean age 80 years) living in 5 different homes for elderly. Group B consisted of free-living elderly, 24 women (mean age 76 years) and 7 men (mean age 79 years). There was no or little seasonal variation in serum 25-OHD concentrations in either group. Of those who did not use vitamin D supplements, 83% of the women and 77% of the men in group A, and 40% of the women and none of the men in group B had 25-OHD concentrations below 20 ng/ml in the winter serum samples. Of the 49 individuals who used supplements, only 2 had values below 20 ng/ml. In the institutionalized elderly, 14-15 micrograms vitamin D per day as supplement was associated with a mean increase in 25-OHD concentration in winter serum samples of 25 ng/ml. Dietary intakes of vitamin D were low for both groups, especially for the women (less than 3 micrograms). It is concluded that elderly Norwegians, in particular those living in institutions, ought to improve their vitamin D status by increasing their exposure to sunshine and by including more oily fish in their diet. If this is difficult to achieve, vitamin D supplement (10 micrograms/day) should be used.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition Research, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Sem
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sjøen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trygg
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium