Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <50 nmol/l) is recognised as a public health problem globally. The present study details the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample (n 3250) of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged >= 18 years. We used data from the 2012-2013 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (AATSIHS). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem MS. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to determine the independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency. Approximately 27 % of adult AATSIHS participants were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in remote areas (39 %) than in non-remote areas (23 %). Independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency included assessment during winter (men, adjusted OR (aOR) 5 center dot 7; 95 % CI 2 center dot 2, 14 center dot 6; women, aOR 2 center dot 2; 95 % CI 1 center dot 3, 3 center dot 8) and spring (men, aOR 3 center dot 3; 95 % CI 1 center dot 4, 7 center dot 5; women, aOR 2 center dot 6; 95 % CI 1 center dot 5, 4 center dot 5) compared with summer, and obesity (men, aOR 2 center dot 6; 95 % CI 1 center dot 2, 5 center dot 4; women, aOR 4 center dot 3; 95 % CI 2 center dot 8, 6 center dot 8) compared with healthy weight. Statistically significant associations were evident for current smokers (men only, aOR 2 center dot 0; 95 % CI 1 center dot 2, 3 center dot 4), remote-dwelling women (aOR 2 center dot 0; 95 % CI 1 center dot 4, 2 center dot 9) and university-educated women (aOR 2 center dot 4; 95 % CI 1 center dot 2, 4 center dot 8). Given the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this population, strategies to maintain adequate vitamin D status through safe sun exposure and dietary approaches are needed. Show more