title: Vitamin D status in apparently healthy adults in Kashmir Valley of Indian subcontinent.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The worldwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is reported to be high.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the vitamin D status in apparently healthy adults in Kashmir valley by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D).
  
  
  METHODS
  92 healthy natives (64 men and 28 non-pregnant/non-lactating women, aged 18-40 years), residing in Kashmir for at least last 5 years and not having any suggestion of systemic disease, were selected for this study. The samples were collected throughout the year in both summer and winter months. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25 (OH) D concentration of <50 nmol/l and graded as mild (25-50 nmol/l), moderate (12.5-25 nmol/l) and severe (<12.5 nmol/l).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index, total energy intake, and other nutritional parameters were comparable among subjects in different groups. Overall 76 (83%) of the subjects studied had vitamin D deficiency--25%, 33%, and 25% had mild, moderate, and severe deficiency, respectively. 49 of the 64 males and all but 1 of the 28 females were vitamin D deficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranged from 69.6% in the employed group to 100% in the household group. Vitamin D deficiency was equally prevalent in subjects from rural and urban areas. Serum calcium and phosphorus values were comparable in subjects with and without vitamin D deficiency, while daily intake and urinary excretion of calcium were significantly lower in the former. Vitamin D deficient subjects had a significantly lower mean weekly exposure to sunlight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of abundant sunlight, healthy individuals in Kashmir valley are vitamin D deficient, particularly women. Serum 25 (OH) D concentrations are significantly related to sun exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, PO Box 1098, GPO Srinagar 190001, Kashmir, India. zargarah@gmail.com
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zargar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Masoodi
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Wani
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Laway
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D