• K Brock, M Wilkinson, R Cook, S Lee, and M Bermingham.
• Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Sumberland Campus, P.O. Box 170 Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. k.brock@fhs.usyd.edu.au
• J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2004 May 1; 89-90 (1-5): 581-8.

AbstractIn a study of 185 elderly living in assisted care and 192 frail aged living in the community in the Sydney metropolitan area, nursing home residents were found to be at a 3-fold and hostel dwellers at a 2-fold risk of Vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency (<25 nmol/L) compared to self care residents. Middle Eastern people were found to be at 4-fold risk and Vietnamese a 3-fold risk of deficiency compared to their Australian counterparts. In recently arrived Chinese immigrants, Vitamin D deficiency, was found in 28%, and marginal levels (<37 nmol/L) in 60%, compared to the 34 and 76% found in our nursing home population, and 25 and 57% in hostel care residents. Of the Middle Eastern elderly, 58% were deficient and 83% marginal; although only 18% of Vietnamese were deficient, 68% had marginal Vitamin D status. Other factors associated with Vitamin D deficiency were mobility and sun exposure in assisted care, and low dietary Vitamin D and calcium intake, reduced exercise levels and high % body fat levels in the immigrant groups.

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