One in five Indians are Vitamin D deficient: Report
Women across all age groups are more vulnerable than men and the indoor lifestyle of urban Indians is contributing to the rising prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency
Hyderabad: India is a country of abundant sunshine. And yet, people not only from Telangana but across multiple States suffer from severe deficiency of Vitamin D. A recent report prepared by multiple agencies in the country has indicated that one in five Indians are deficient in Vitamin D.
Children, adolescents, pregnant women and elderly are the most vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiency in India. Women across all age groups are more vulnerable than men and the indoor lifestyle of urban Indians is contributing to the rising prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency, the report said.
In the report titled ‘Road Map to Address Vitamin D Deficiency in India’, prepared by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Research (ICRIER), which was submitted to the Union Health Ministry, the researchers acknowledged that Vitamin D deficiency has become a silent epidemic in India.
“The consequences of Vitamin D deficiency are alarming including 46 per cent of children (aged 0–10 years) suffer from rickets, while 80-90 per cent of the elderly suffer from osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures and long-term disability,” the report, which was released a few days ago, said.
What are the reasons for Vitamin D deficiency?
While India receives ample sunlight almost throughout the year, existing studies and consultations show that rising pollution levels, urbanisation and modern lifestyle changes have reduced sun exposure, the report said.
The absorption of Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun is the primary source of Vitamin D. High air pollution in cities blocks UVB radiation from reaching the skin, hindering natural Vitamin D synthesis.
Additionally, regions with extreme climates, such as intensely hot summers or cold winters, discourage outdoor activities, reducing sun exposure. Urbanization and rapid population growth have led to densely packed residential areas, with many individuals residing in high-rise buildings or overcrowded tenements where limited sunlight penetrates living spaces. The modern lifestyle has further reduced sunlight exposure, as most people spend long hours indoors, the report made it clear.
NIMS study in Hyderabad
To understand the correlations between the low back pain and fractures and levels of Vitamin D among patients, the orthopedic department of Hyderabad-based Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) had in recent years (2019-21) conducted two-major Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) studies that were published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopedics and Trauma by Elsevier.
In both the studies, which included nearly 100 patients each, the NIMS clinical teams led by senior orthopedic, Dr Maheshwar Lakkireddy, indicated that severe deficiency of Vitamin D Hypovitaminosis D) is causative factor for lower backaches and it should be addressed to reduce osteoporosis, a medical condition in which bones become brittle, as people age.
Important points:
• There are 490 million (49 crore) individuals who are Vitamin D deficient in India
• Out of 49 crore, about 30 percent are children and adolescents
• 80 percent of urban women in India suffer from Vitamin D deficiency
• Avoid self-medication and get doctor’s advice before taking Vitamin D supplements
• Vitamin D below 30 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) are considered insufficient
• NIMS researchers have directly linked Vitamin D to improvement of body immunity
• For adults above 18 years, daily allowance of Vitamin D should be 2000IU/day
• Expose 40 percent of body to 20 minutes of sunlight daily for adequate production
