title: Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and folate deficiency in healthy young female Austrian students in a health care profession.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We performed a single-day cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as well as folate status in healthy young female volunteers well educated with respect to health information.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium, serum concentrations of 25-OH-vitamin D(3), folate, red blood cell folate and other dietary, laboratory, and lifestyle parameters in 215 young healthy women (age 18-30 years) on a single day at the end of the winter months. Primary aim was to investigate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Folic acid status was a secondary study aim.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean daily ingestion of vitamin D was 2.25 μg/day with a daily calcium intake of 749 mg/day. 6.9% had hypovitaminosis D (25-OH-vitamin D(3) <30 nmol/L) and 89.3% were vitamin D insufficient (<75 nmol/L). Preplanned subpopulation comparison (lower vs. upper quartile) revealed a significant negative correlation (P = 0.048) between plasma PTH and 25-OH-vitamin D(3) levels. Fifteen individuals (6.9%) were folic acid deficient (<140 ng/mL RBC folate). Only 9.3% reached RBC folate concentrations regarded as optimal for the prevention of fetal neural tube defects (>400 ng/mL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in healthy young women trained in health care professions is low but 89.3% can be classified as vitamin D insufficient in spring. Folate status can also be considered not sufficient. Considering the emerging role of higher vitamin D plasma levels for many health conditions, a timely correction of vitamin D status in the general Austrian population appears appropriate.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: Stefan T
authors: ST
authors: Kaehler
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Baumgartner
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Jeske
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Anliker
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Schennach
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Marschang
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Ratt
authors: Anna C
authors: AC
authors: Colvin
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Falk
authors: Astrid
authors: A
authors: Gasser
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Kirchebner
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Scherer
authors: Anna E
authors: AE
authors: Purtscher
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Griesmacher
authors: Jörg
authors: J
authors: Striessnig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013334:Students; D013472:Sunlight; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D005492:Folic Acid