Nine out of ten Aussies have low vitamin D intake, study shows

A new Curtin University study has found 95 percent of Australians have low vitamin D intake, with researchers recommending food sources such as oily fish and eggs.

The study, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, used new information on the vitamin D content of foods, produced by the research team, and dietary intake data collected from more than 12,000 Australians in the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Lead researcher dietitian and Ph.D. student Eleanor Dunlop, from the Curtin School of Population Health, said the study suggests that Australians need data-driven nutrition policy to safely increase their intake of vitamin D.

"Most Australians consume less than half of international recommendations for vitamin D (10 µg/day). We can produce vitamin D through sun exposure, but we know that being SunSmart is vital in Australia to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer," Ms. Dunlop said.

"Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of poor bone health. Since nearly one in four adults are vitamin D deficient in Australia, carefully considered food-based strategies may safely increase intake of vitamin D and improve vitamin D status in the Australian population.

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas are particularly at risk of vitamin D deficiency, as well as people born outside of Australia or the main English-speaking countries. People residing in southern states of Australia, and people who are obese or have low physical activity levels, are also at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency."

Senior author Associate Professor Lucinda Black, also from the Curtin School of Population Health, said that vitamin D intake were lowest in younger people, with women more likely to have lower intake than men.

"It can be difficult to consume enough vitamin D as few foods are rich in vitamin D. Oily fish is the best food source of vitamin D, with two serves a week recommended. Other foods such as eggs and meat contain small amounts, but we don't find vitamin D in fruits, vegetables or grain-based products, like bread or rice." Associate Professor Black said.

Ms. Dunlop and Associate Professor Black have recently compiled Australia's first comprehensive database of vitamin D in foods.

"This is the first time we have had an estimate of usual vitamin D intake in Australia that is based on comprehensive food composition data for the Australian population," Associate Professor Black said.

"The new data on the vitamin D content of foods have been adopted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand for inclusion in the Australian Food Composition Database."