Prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency in Iranian children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-V study

To examine the prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency in Iranian children and adolescents. We used data from a national school-based surveillance program conducted among 7-18-year-old children and adolescents living in rural and urban areas in 30 provinces of Iran. Data on student’s lifestyle, health behaviors, and health status was obtained through a validated questionnaire. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D) level was measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-OH-D concentrations < 30 ng/ml. Determinants of vitamin D deficiency were identified using logistic regression analysis. Data of 2,596 participants were available for this study. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 71.1 % (95 % Confidence interval (CI): 69.3–72.8 %), without significant difference between boys and girls (72.0 % vs. 70.1 %, respectively, p = 0.29). In the multivariate regression model, in both genders, those who reported having sun exposure for at least 30 min/day and those taking vitamin D supplementation had lower odds for vitamin D deficiency (all p values < 0.05). In boys, obesity increased the odds of vitamin D deficiency (adjusted OR, 95 % CI: 1.57, 1.08–2.27). The association of vitamin D deficiency with other demographic characteristics and food items was not statistically significant. This large population-based study revealed a high frequency of hypovitaminosis D in Iranian children and adolescents. Sun exposure for at least 30 min/day and taking vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of vitamin D deficiency.