title: Worldwide vitamin D status.
abstract: The aim of the present study is to summarize existing literature on vitamin D levels in adults in different continents and different countries worldwide. The best determinant of vitamin D status is the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Most investigators agree that serum 25(OH)D should be higher than 50 nmol/l, but some recommend higher serum levels. Traditional risk groups for vitamin D deficiency include pregnant women, children, older persons, the institutionalized, and non-western immigrants. This chapter shows that serum 25(OH)D levels are not only suboptimal in specific risk groups, but also in adults in many countries. Especially, in the Middle-East and Asia, vitamin D deficiency in adults is highly prevalent.
authors.affiliation: EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. nm.vanschoor@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Natasja M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: van Schoor
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lips
mesh_terms: D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; D002112:Calcifediol