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Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide. This paper aims to investigate the vitamin D status and dietary intake in young university students.

Forty-one healthy students aged 18–29 years from Coventry University UK were recruited during January-February 2019, including white Caucasians (n = 18), African-Caribbeans (n = 14) and Asians (n = 9). Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were measured and dietary vitamin D intake was determined. Chi-square and simple linear regression were used to analyse the data.

The plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were (36.0 ± 22.2) nmol/L in all subjects, (46.5 ± 25.3) nmol/L in white Caucasians, (22.6 ± 7.4) nmol/L in African-Caribbeans and (37.4 ± 21.7 nmol/L) in Asians. The majority (85.7%) of African-Caribbeans were vitamin D deficient compared with 22.2% of white Caucasians and 33.3% of Asians (p = 0.001). Overweight/obese subjects showed a significant higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency (65%) than normal weight subjects (28.6%) (p = 0.04). The average dietary vitamin D intake in all subjects was (4.6 ± 3.9) µg/day. Only 12.1% of the subjects met the recommended dietary vitamin D intake of 10 µg/day. Dietary vitamin D intake (p = 0.04) and ethnicity (p = 0.01) were significant predictors of 25(OH)D levels and accounted for 13% and 18.5% of 25(OH)D variance, respectively.

This small-scale study showed an alarmingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among subjects from African-Caribbean origin during wintertime. Education programs and campaigns are urgently needed to fight the vitamin D deficiency in this population.

The targeted population were in a critical period of transition from adolescence toward adulthood involving in changes in behaviours and nutrition.

Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among young Qatari women is ∼85%. The purpose of the study was to develop a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and to assess the degree of agreement between food vitamin D intakes derived from FFQ and 24-h food recall (24HFR) in young Qatari women.

A vitamin D-centric, 40-item FFQ was developed based on foods consumed in Qatar. In total, 36 Qatari women provided food intakes using FFQ and 24HFR. Vitamin D contents of foods reported in FFQ and 24HFR were computed. Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the relation between vitamin D intakes of FFQ and 24HFR. Bland–Altman (BA) plot and quartile comparisons were performed to determine the degree of agreement between food intakes of FFQ and 24HFR.

Median intakes of vitamin D from FFQ were significantly higher compared to the vitamin D content from 24HFR (213 IU vs 126 IU; p < 0.008). Vitamin D intakes were lower with 24HFR when compared with the intakes of FFQ. There was no significant relationship between food vitamin D intake from FFQ and 24HFR (Spearman rho = 0.16; p < 0.35). In cross classification, ∼64% were assigned to the same or adjacent quartiles. As per BA plot, more than 95% food intakes were within the limits of agreement (LOA) (BA index, 2.8%).

There was a moderate agreement between vitamin D intakes and FFQ and 24HFR. 24HFR should be used with caution in assessing the habitual food vitamin D intake because of limited sources of the vitamer in Qatari cuisine. The FFQ is suitable for estimating the food vitamin D intake in young Qatari women.

This study aims to investigate the association of vitamin D intake and the risk of depression, anxiety and stress among Tehranian female adolescents.

This cross-sectional analysis included 263 participants. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire was used to determine dietary intake of vitamin D. Depression, anxiety and stress scores were characterized by Depression Anxiety Stress Score-21 questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of depression, anxiety and stress according to the tertiles of vitamin D intake.

The mean ± standard deviation age and body mass index (BMI) of participants were 16.2 ± 1.0 years and 22.2 ± 4.1 kg/m², respectively. Mean score of depression, anxiety and stress of participants were 9.8 (low-grade depression), 8.4 (low-grade anxiety) and 14.0 (borderline for stress), respectively. In the final model, after adjustment for age, BMI, physical activity, mother/father’s education level, dietary fiber and total energy intake, the OR for depression in the highest compared to the lowest tertile of vitamin D intake was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24–0.98) (p for trend: 0.040). Moreover, based on the fully adjusted model, participants in the highest tertile of vitamin D intake had lower odds of stress (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.23–0.93), in comparison to those in the lowest one (p for trend: 0.021).

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess the association of vitamin D intake and risk of psychological disorders, including depression, stress and anxiety in Middle East and North Africa region’s female adolescents.

As natural dietary sources of vitamin D are not consumed in sufficient quantities, fortified foods could play a role in maintaining vitamin D sufficiency. With public consultation, an integral part of designing acceptable fortification strategies, the purpose of this paper is to understand public awareness and perception of vitamin D fortified foods.

A mixed-methods approach was taken with two focus groups and 109 surveys conducted using a non-probability sample from North-East England. Thematic analysis of focus group data identified six themes, with factor and cluster analysis identifying seven factors and four clusters, respectively, which highlighted differences in vitamin D knowledge and fortified food perceptions.

Despite identifying sunlight as the main vitamin D source (91 per cent), participants were less aware of the main dietary source (33 per cent), and few could state fortified products (51 per cent). Although attitudes towards fortification were generally favourable (63 per cent agreeing that selected products should be fortified), nearly half (43 per cent) were unsure if more products should be made available. Results suggest that more natural products to complement existing market offerings would be most preferred. Factor and cluster analysis results identified awareness of health benefits and/or dietary sources as essential to have favourable attitudes towards fortified products.

This research adds to the limited literature regarding consumer attitudes towards fortified foods. It highlights a need to improve public awareness and labelling of fortified products to potentially increase fortified food consumption.

Notes that the Committee on Medical Aspects on Food Policy (COMA) is currently reviewing the nutritional status of the population in relation to micronutrients statutorily added to flour and yellow fats (iron, calcium, thiamin, niacin, vitamins A and D) and folic acid. Also that, given the reduction of average energy intakes in the UK and changing food habits it is becoming more difficult for certain population groups to meet recommended intakes of essential nutrients. Focuses on three key areas of particular concern identified by COMA: iron status; bone health; and folate status. Suggests that the statutory addition of iron, calcium, thiamin, and niacin to flour and vitamins A and D to margarine, and the voluntary addition of folic acid to breakfast cereals and some breads are practices that can help to prevent nutritional inadequacies.

This paper aims to observe the possible relationship between skin color, sun exposure level, UV protection and food intake and serum levels of 25(OH) D in Japanese older adults.

Elderly (n = 131; 65-93 years old), followed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology in the Kusatsu (36°N) received a self-applicable questionnaire about the quantity and quality of the daily sun exposure and behavior to avoid the sun. A color analyzer measured each red (R), green (G) and blue (B) component of skin color, and dietary vitamin D was estimated by food frequency questionnaire. Serum 25(OH) D levels were collected and categorized as sufficiency (>30 ng/mL), insufficiency (between 20 and 30 ng/mL) and deficiency (<20 ng/mL).

High proportion of participants had insufficiency (53 per cent) and deficiency (25 per cent) levels of 25(OH) D. Insufficiency levels were more prevalent in women (57 per cent, p = 0.048) and in participants that use gloves (49 per cent, p = 0.054) and sunscreen on face (76 per cent, p = 0.003) as a sun protection way. Participants with sufficiency levels of 25(OH) D presented lower values of R (p = 0.067), G (p = 0. 007) and B (p = 0.001) of skin color (what is meaning darker skin) and a higher fish intake (12 times per week).

The study is a cross-sectional design and brings a potential for measurement error in the recorded subjective variables. There is a memory bias in self-reported sun exposure and food consumption; however, in the multivariate analysis, it was demonstrated a significant association. Second, although the authors have sought to evaluate a number of variables that could affect the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D, there are many other factors that may affect this ability that could not be accounted for. Another limitation was the assessment of self-reported ultraviolet exposure data rather than direct measurement of exposure.

It was also concluded that darker skin color (a surrogate of longer-term sun exposure) participants had a lower prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in this ethnic homogeneous population. When accessing patients’ skin color, the clinician must account for his or her ethnicity.

Governments should regulate supplementation or food fortification with vitamin D, with special focus in countries with geographical location of insufficient solar radiation for skin synthesis of this vitamin. With this, it becomes a priority that a safe sun exposure ensures the sufficient serum levels of 25 (OH) D without the use of supplements.

This report was the first to analyze skin color components associated to vitamin D levels, finding that blue and green colors were significant. The clinical implication of this find is yet to understand. It was also concluded that darker skin color (a surrogate of longer-term sun exposure) participants had a lower prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in this ethnic homogeneous population. When accessing patients’ skin color, the clinician must account for his or her ethnicity.

This paper aims to review the metabolism, epidemiology and treatment of vitamin D and calcium insufficiency as well as its relation to rickets and diabetes type 1 during childhood and adolescence.

The most up‐to‐date and pertinent studies within the literature are included in this narrative review.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in developing countries and exists in both childhood and adult life. The great importance of vitamin D is the moderation of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) homeostasis as well as the absorption of Ca. While insufficiency of vitamin D is a significant contributing factor to the risk of rickets in childhood, it is possible that a more marginal deficiency of vitamin D during life span contributes to osteoporosis as well as potentially to the development of various other chronic diseases such as diabetes type 1.

This paper gives a concise, up‐to‐date overview to nutritionists and dietitians on how vitamin D deficiency may effect rickets and type 1 diabetes.

A recent report by the Child Health and Nutrition Working Party of the British Dietetic Association discussed the effects of changing the diets of pre‐school children along the lines currently suggested for adults. Neither the NACNE nor the COMA Reports made specific recommendations for children under five: COMA specifically excluded them and NACNE stressed the potential dangers of modifying children's diets to reduce fat and increase fibre intake. Concern has been expressed amongst dietitians that widespread media coverage of the need for dietary change, in the absence of specific recommendations for children, could result in the extension of the general guidelines to young children.

Although affecting most women during their fertile years, PMS remains a poorly understood condition. The purpose of this paper is to present some diet and lifestyle treatment options based on literature review findings tempered with the author's experience of treating this condition.

Findings from the literature over the last 20 years and the experience of treating women with this condition have resulted in the development of a phased approach to treat PMS.

The phased approach is outlined as such: for phase 1 ensure the diet is healthy and balanced. In phase 2 swap high Glycemic Index foods for lower GI ones and eat regular meals. For phase 3 try supplements with evidence of efficacy such as calcium and vitamin D. Finally, in phase 4 address lifestyle factors such as activity, stress and weight plus control chronic health conditions.

More research is needed in this area; future work should focus on the use of the lower GI diet and weight loss.

The four phased approach should be implemented before resorting to pharmacological intervention. Women may not need to follow all four phases and may find relief after just phase 1.

For PMS relief, women do not need to be following a diet that does not fit into a family situation; following the guidelines can have knock on health benefit on the rest of the family.

Unsubstantiated anecdotes are often the main source of help for PMS sufferers. This approach sets achievable phased targets based on sound science and practical experience.

Examines the results of a new government survey into the eating habits of pre‐school children (1½‐4 ½ years). Discusses the effects on children′s health by examination of blood samples and dental examinations. Concludes with statistics on dental decay due to intake of certain foods.