• A H Zargar, S Ahmad, S R Masoodi, A I Wani, M I Bashir, B A Laway, and Z A Shah.
• Department of Endocrinology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, PO Box 1098, GPO Srinagar 190001, Kashmir, India. zargarah@gmail.com
• Postgrad Med J. 2007 Nov 1; 83 (985): 713-6.

BackgroundThe worldwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is reported to be high.ObjectivesTo assess the vitamin D status in apparently healthy adults in Kashmir valley by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D).Methods92 healthy natives (64 men and 28 non-pregnant/non-lactating women, aged 18-40 years), residing in Kashmir for at least last 5 years and not having any suggestion of systemic disease, were selected for this study. The samples were collected throughout the year in both summer and winter months. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25 (OH) D concentration of <50 nmol/l and graded as mild (25-50 nmol/l), moderate (12.5-25 nmol/l) and severe (<12.5 nmol/l).ResultsBody mass index, total energy intake, and other nutritional parameters were comparable among subjects in different groups. Overall 76 (83%) of the subjects studied had vitamin D deficiency--25%, 33%, and 25% had mild, moderate, and severe deficiency, respectively. 49 of the 64 males and all but 1 of the 28 females were vitamin D deficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranged from 69.6% in the employed group to 100% in the household group. Vitamin D deficiency was equally prevalent in subjects from rural and urban areas. Serum calcium and phosphorus values were comparable in subjects with and without vitamin D deficiency, while daily intake and urinary excretion of calcium were significantly lower in the former. Vitamin D deficient subjects had a significantly lower mean weekly exposure to sunlight.ConclusionsIn spite of abundant sunlight, healthy individuals in Kashmir valley are vitamin D deficient, particularly women. Serum 25 (OH) D concentrations are significantly related to sun exposure.

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