SERUM VITAMIN-D CONCENTRATIONS AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE IN EUROPE

Vitamin D status decreases with age, mainly as a result of restricted sunlight exposure, reduced capacity of the skin to produce vitamin D, and reduced dietary Vitamin D intake. We measured wintertime serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in 824 elderly people from 1 1 European countries. 36% of men and 47% of women had 25(OH)D concentr ations below 30 nmol/L. Users of Vitamin D supplements and/or sunlamps had higher 25(OH)D (median 54 nmol/L) than non users (median 31 nmol/ L). Surprisingly, lowest mean 25(OH)D concentrations were seen in sout hern European countries. Low 25(OH)D concentrations could largely be e xplained by attitudes towards sunlight exposure and factors of physica l health status, after exclusion of users of vitamin D supplements or sunlamps. Problems with daily living activities and wearing clothes wi th long sleeves during periods of sunshine were strong predictors of l ow wintertime serum 25(OH)D concentrations. These findings show that f ree-living elderly Europeans, regardless of geographical location, are at substantial risk of inadequate Vitamin D status during winter and that dietary enrichment or supplementation with vitamin D should be se riously considered during this season.