Status of calcium and vitamin D of different population groups in Austria

Vitamin D and calcium are essential for bone metabolism and the status of b oth nutrients is discussed in relation to osteoporosis and osteoporosis-rel ated disorders. Thus. it is important to monitor the status of these nutrie nts in the population to early recognise insufficiences and to establish pr eventive measures. intakes of calcium and vitamin D have been evaluated in different Austrian population groups (pre-school children, school children, adolescents, adults, elderly, pregnant and lactating women) by dietary rec ords (3 d and 7 d weighed records, 24 h recalls). From pre-school children, school children, elderly, pregnant and lactating women fasting blood and s pontaneous urine samples were collected and analysed on concentrations of c alcium in serum and urine (adjusted to creatinine) and of 25-OH-cholecalcif erol in serum. Average calcium intake (834 +/- 422 mg/d) below the specific recommended al lowances of the according age group were found for 58% of the total populat ion with the highest incidence of low supply in adolescents at 15-19 years of age and adults at 46-65 years of age. Vitamin D intakes (2.1 +/- 1.4 mu g/d) were even lower with 68% of the total population being not able to mee t the recommendations. Again, adolescents at 15-19 years showed the highest incidence of insufficient vitamin D intakes. Calcium concentrations in ser um were satisfying for children and adolescents. Vitamin D status was found below the reference range (15 nmol/l) fur 50% of all samples with the high est frequency in elderly people. Bating on the applied method fur the deter mination of 25-OH-cholecalciferol concentrations a reference range for the Austrian population is suggested. The results show that low intakes of calcium and vitamin D lead to decrease d status of these nutrients especially for adolescents, elderly, pregnant a nd lactating women, indicating the highest risk for the development of diso rders of bone metabolism in these groups.