Exposure to the sun allows the body to produce vitamin D. This is important because it allows the organs to function. It is also necessary for the mineralization and development of bones. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis, fracture of the femoral neck and even the development of rickets, an insufficient calcification of the bones of children.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation report, in many parts of the world vitamin D intake is grossly inadequate. An optimal intake is around 50 nmol/L to 75 nmol/L, the report says.
Factors favoring vitamin D deficiency are: advanced age, female gender, areas of the globe with little sunshine, winter, dark skin, lack of sunlight, certain dietary habits.
Rising indoor work and increasing urbanization along with new lifestyles that avoid the sun are also cited as risk factors by the report, particularly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
“Reports from around the world indicate that hypovitaminosis D is developing, and re-emerging, as a major public health problem,” the report concludes.
