title: Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Health Consequences in Africa.
abstract: Africa is heterogeneous in latitude, geography, climate, food availability, religious and cultural practices, and skin pigmentation. It is expected, therefore, that prevalence of vitamin D deficiency varies widely, in line with influences on skin exposure to UVB sunshine. Furthermore, low calcium intakes and heavy burden of infectious disease common in many countries may increase vitamin D utilization and turnover. Studies of plasma 25OHD concentration indicate a spectrum from clinical deficiency to values at the high end of the physiological range; however, data are limited. Representative studies of status in different countries, using comparable analytical techniques, and of relationships between vitamin D status and risk of infectious and chronic diseases relevant to the African context are needed. Public health measures to secure vitamin D adequacy cannot encompass the whole continent and need to be developed locally.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Research, MRC, Cambridge, UK ; MRC Keneba, MRC, Keneba, The Gambia.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prentice
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Research, MRC, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Inez
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schoenmakers
authors.affiliation: MRC Keneba, MRC, Keneba, The Gambia.
authors.forename: Kerry S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: MRC Keneba, MRC, Keneba, The Gambia.
authors.forename: Landing M A
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Jarjou
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Research, MRC, Cambridge, UK ; MRC Keneba, MRC, Keneba, The Gambia.
authors.forename: Gail R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Goldberg
keywords: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Calcium intake; Children; Osteomalacia; Rickets; Sunlight; Vitamin D status; Vitamin D turnover
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