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Who is at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency can affect anyone, but certain groups of people are at higher risk due to factors such as age, lifestyle, and medical conditions. Understanding who is at risk can help in taking preventive measures.
Older Adults
As people age, their skin
‘s ability to produce vitamin D decreases, and their kidneys become less efficient at converting vitamin D to its active form. This puts older adults at a higher risk of deficiency. Additionally, older adults are more likely to spend time indoors, further reducing their sun exposure.
People with Darker Skin
Melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, reduces the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight. Therefore, individuals with darker skin are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially if they live in northern latitudes with less sunlight.
People Who Are Overweight or Obese
Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning it is stored in body fat. Individuals who are overweight or obese may have lower circulating levels of vitamin D because the vitamin is sequestered in fat tissue, making it less available for use in the body.
People with Limited Sun Exposure
Individuals who spend little time outdoors, wear clothing that covers most of their skin, or consistently use sunscreen may not get enough sun exposure to produce adequate vitamin D. This includes people who live in northern latitudes, work night shifts, or have indoor occupations.
People with Certain Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can impair the absorption or conversion of vitamin D, increasing the risk of deficiency. These conditions include:
- Crohn’s Disease and Celiac Disease: Both conditions affect the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients, including vitamin D.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: The kidneys are responsible for converting vitamin D to its active form. Individuals with kidney disease may have difficulty producing sufficient active vitamin D.
- Liver Disease: The liver is involved in the initial conversion of vitamin D to its storage form. Liver disease can impair this process, leading to deficiency.
- Gastric Bypass Surgery: Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass surgery may have difficulty absorbing vitamin D due to changes in the digestive tract.
Breastfed Infants
Breast milk typically contains only small amounts of vitamin D, which may not be sufficient to meet the needs of exclusively breastfed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfed infants receive a daily vitamin D supplement to prevent deficiency.
