Do the French lack the sun? This is possible since more than 80% of French people aged 18 to 74 suffer from a vitamin D deficiency. This is the result of the last Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (BEH) of the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), published Tuesday April 24. Vitamin D is mainly made by the skin under the influence of the sun. It is also found to a lesser extent in food.
What is vitamin D used for?It promotes the absorption of calcium, necessary for good mineralization of bones and teeth. A high vitamin D deficiency can in particular lead to osteoporosis and therefore cause fractures. Its beneficial role on the immune system is also established.
According to the study presented in the BEH, more than four in ten French people (42%) have a moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency, while 4.8% suffer from a severe deficiency.
People suffering from vitamin D deficiency, whether moderate or severe, were most often French people born outside Europe, smokers and people whose place of residence enjoys less annual sunshine. The fact of not going on vacation, of being sedentary and of not (or little) physical activity can partly explain a moderate insufficiency of vitamin D. According to the authors of the study, “the modification of certain habits life, especially increased physical activity “can fill this lack of vitamin D.
“Severe vitamin D deficits are uncommon [en France], and concern vulnerable populations. “The elderly are among the populations most at risk because they manufacture less vitamin D, assimilate it less and go out in the sun less. Obese people also have less vitamin D, because it – this is absorbed by fatty tissue.
The data presented come from the National Health Nutrition Study, carried out in 2006-2007. The analyzes relate to a sample of 1,587 French people aged 18 to 74, not taking vitamin D-based treatment.
>> To read also: Do we really lack vitamin D?
>> To read also: Vitamin D: should it be taken as a supplement in winter?
