title: Obesity, lifestyle and socio-economic determinants of vitamin D intake: a population-based study of Canadian children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vitamin D intake in childhood is primarily for the prevention of rickets. Inconsistent evidence has associated adequate blood concentrations with a decreased risk of certain health conditions. Further, obese individuals may have lower vitamin D status. The estimated average requirement (EAR) for children recently doubled to 400 IU/day. Our aim was to examine dietary intake of vitamin D in different body mass index (BMI) categories, in addition to assessing determinants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from two provincial surveys of grade 5 children, including a food frequency questionnaire and measured BMI, were used. Rao-Scott chi-square statistic tested the bivariate association between provinces and adequate dietary vitamin D intake. Key correlates were examined using multi-level logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those below the EAR differed between Alberta (78%) and Nova Scotia (81%). Those drinking &lt;2 glasses of milk/day had 0.02 times the odds of meeting the EAR (95% CI: 0.01-0.02) compared to those drinking more. No significant difference was observed for BMI, though those consuming &lt;1 glass of milk/day were more likely to be obese than those consuming ≥2 glasses/day. Income and physical activity were negatively correlated with meeting the EAR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many children did not meet the EAR for vitamin D from dietary sources and milk consumption was an important determinant. Given trends towards a more sedentary lifestyle and limited sun exposure, we recommend prioritizing public health efforts to support dietary vitamin D intake alongside interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. Further investigation is required to determine the need for targeted strategies for obese children.
authors.affiliation: University of Sherbrooke. cynthia.colapinto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cynthia K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Colapinto
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossiter
authors.forename: Mohammad K A
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Sara F L
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Veugelers
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D063766:Pediatric Obesity; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Vitamin D; children; dietary reference intake; health behaviour; intake; obesity