Vitamin D status of Canadians as measured in the 2007 to 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem, but little is known about the vitamin D status of Canadians.


METHODS
The data are from the 2007 to 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey, which collected blood samples. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, means) were used to estimate 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations among a sample of 5,306 individuals aged 6 to 79 years, representing 28.2 million Canadians from all regions, by age group, sex, racial background, month of blood collection, and frequency of milk consumption. The prevalence of deficiency and the percentages of the population meeting different cut-off concentrations were assessed.


RESULTS
The mean concentration of 25(OH)D for the Canadian population aged 6 to 79 years was 67.7 nmol/L. The mean was lowest among men aged 20 to 39 years (60.7 nmol/L) and highest among boys aged 6 to 11 (76.8 nmol/L). Deficiency (less than 27.5 nmol/L) was detected in 4% of the population. However, 10% of Canadians had concentrations considered inadequate for bone health (less than 37.5 nmol/L) according to 1997 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Standards (currently under review). Concentrations measured in November-March were below those measured in April-October. White racial background and frequent milk consumption were significantly associated with higher concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
As measured by plasma 25(OH)D, 4% of Canadians aged 6 to 79 years were vitamin D-deficient, according to 1997 IOM standards (currently under review). Based on these standards, 10% of the population had inadequate concentrations for bone health.
Langlois
Kellie
K
Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, K1A 0T6. Kellie.Langlois@statcan.gc.ca
Greene-Finestone
Linda
L
Little
Julian
J
Hidiroglou
Nick
N
Whiting
Susan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006304:Health Status; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk; D009752:Nutritional Status; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016082:Solar System; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D