title: A survey of university students' vitamin D-related knowledge.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey Canadian university students' vitamin D-related knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Undergraduate university students (n = 1,088) were surveyed as to their vitamin D-related knowledge, including its sources, health benefits, and recommended intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, students answered 29% of questions correctly on the knowledge test. In addition, the overall test was subdivided into 3 subtests, and students scored 26% on vitamin D source knowledge, 23% on factors affecting vitamin D levels, and 37% on health effects of vitamin D. Only 8% of participants correctly identified the recommended vitamin D intake; 14% correctly identified the amount of time in the sun required to produce adequate vitamin D.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that Canadian university students have poor knowledge concerning vitamin D. Program planners should consider improving vitamin D knowledge as a component of future health promotion programs for university students.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Shaunessey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: jenirwin@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Irwin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D009753:Nutritive Value; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013334:Students; D013472:Sunlight; D014495:Universities; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: health promotion program development; knowledge assessment; university students; vitamin D