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Low Vitamin D Levels Common in U.S. Children, Linked to Cardiovascular Risk Markers

Nearly 10% of U.S. children and adolescents have deficient vitamin D levels, while 60% have insufficient levels, according to a cross-sectional study published online in Pediatrics.

Researchers examined 2001-2004 NHANES data on some 6300 participants aged 1 to 21 years. Among other findings:

  • Factors associated with lower vitamin D levels included older age, female sex, non-Hispanic black or Mexican-American ethnicity, obesity, low milk intake, and nonuse of supplements.
  • Vitamin D deficiency (less than 15 ng/mL) was independently associated with lower serum calcium, higher systolic blood pressure, lower HDL cholesterol, elevated parathyroid hormone, and higher prevalence of hypertension.
  • Insufficiency (15-29 ng/mL) was associated with higher diastolic BP, lower HDL cholesterol, and greater prevalence of elevated C-reactive protein and parathyroid hormone.

The authors point out that only 4% of participants were taking the recommended supplement dose.

Pediatrics article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)



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