title: Vitamin D status in a group of Spanish schoolchildren.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to determine the vitamin D status of a group of Spanish schoolchildren in order to help in the design of campaigns to prevent vitamin D deficiency in this subpopulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional observational study, carried out in schools in Madrid (Spain), during 2007-2008. The study enrolled 102 schoolchildren (aged 9-13 years). Vitamin D intake was monitored using a three-day food record. All foods consumed were converted into energy and nutrients and the vitamin D intake compared to that recommended. The children's serum 25-OH-cholecalciferol (25[OH]D) concentrations were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vitamin D intake (2.83±3.27 mg/day) was below that recommended in 86.9% of the children, and the serum 25(OH)D concentration (49.6±15.9 nmol/L) below 50 nmol/L (moderate deficit) in 51% of the children; in 8% it was below 30 nmol/L (severe deficit). The children who showed a coverage of at least 67% of the recommended intake of vitamin D (Group HD) consumed more dairy products, fish, fruit and vegetables than those whose intakes covered <67% of the recommended intake (Group LD). The HD children had higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations than the LD children; in addition, fewer cases of deficit were seen among them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The vitamin D status of the studied children was likely to improve, and could be ameliorated via a relatively increased consumption of dairy products, fish, cereals, fruits and vegetables, by including foods fortified in vitamin D if necessary, and by increased ‑ but safe ‑ exposure to the sun.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. elerodri@farm.ucm.es
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Rodríguez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aparicio
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: López-Sobaler
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ortega
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012574:Schools; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D002112:Calcifediol