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Cited by 149Vitamin D Research StudiesNutrition and Health StudiesSkin Protection and Aging

Vitamin D status among adults in germany—Results from the German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1)

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Rabenberg, Martina, Scheidt-Nave, Christa, Busch, Markus A., Rieckmann, Nina, Hintzpeter, Birte, Mensink, Gert B.M.·2015·BMC Public Health
DOI 10.1186/s12889-015-2016-7PMC PMC4499202
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: In 1998, more than half of the adult population in Germany had serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D [25(OH)D] levels below the common threshold of 50 nmol/l. Since then, there has been a lot of attention for vitamin D in the scientific community, the media and the general population and serum 25(OH)D levels may have increased as a consequence. With data from the 'German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults' (DEGS1) the current situation of vitamin D status can be analysed. METHODS: DEGS1, a national health survey among adults in Germany conducted by the Robert Koch Institute between 2008 and 2011, included 6,995 persons with available serum 25(OH)D levels. We calculated the proportion of participants with serum 25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/l, 30- < 50 nmol/l and > =50 nmol/l overall and according to age, season and latitude of residence as well as percentiles of serum 25(OH)D according to month of examination. Determinants of vitamin D status were analysed with multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: Mean serum 25(OH)D level was 45.6 nmol/l with no significant sex differences (p = 0.47). 61.6% of the participants had serum 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/l, 30.2% had levels <30 nmol/l. During summer, half of the participants had levels > =50 nmol/l, during winter time, 25% of the participants had levels <30 nmol/l. A significant latitudinal gradient was observed in autumn for men and in winter for women. In multiple linear regression analyses, examination during winter time, residing in northern latitude, non-use of vitamin D supplements, low sport activity, high Body Mass Index (BMI) and high media consumption were independently and significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D levels in both sexes. In addition, among women, significant associations with lower 25(OH)D levels were observed for older age and lower socio-economic status, among men, for low vitamin D intake and more residential traffic. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D levels below the threshold of 50 nmol/l are still common among adults in Germany, especially during winter and spring and in higher latitudes. Potentially modifiable factors of poorer vitamin D status are higher BMI, lack of sport activity and high media use.

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  • Evidence shows that both lower socioeconomic status and lower maternal education are associated with lower vitamin D status.

    “On the other hand, evidence shows that both lower socioeconomic status and lower maternal education are associated with lower vitamin D status [101,102].”

    From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [102]

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  1. [4]Bouillon R DeGroot LJ Jameson JL Vitamin D: from photosynthesis, metabolism, and action to clinical applications Endocrinology 2001 Philadelphia Saunders, W.B 1009 1028

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Authors
Rabenberg, M., Scheidt-Nave, C., Busch, M. A., Rieckmann, N., Hintzpeter, B., & Mensink, G. B. M.
Affiliations
  • Robert Koch Institute (DE)
  • Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
  • University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
Corresponding author
Rabenberg, Martina
ORCID
Venue
BMC Public Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2015-07-11
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
641-641
ISSN
1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12889-015-2016-7
PMC
PMC4499202
OpenAlex
W1577053908
Cited by
149
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 2
FWCI
11.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Publication server of the Robert Koch Institute (Robert Kock Institute) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
Keywords
vitamin D status, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, seasonal variation, latitudinal gradient, vitamin D supplementation, physical activity, body mass index, media use, traffic exposure, socioeconomic status, vitamin D intake, adults, Germany, DEGS1, health disparities, sex differences, age differences, older adults, winter seasonality, sun exposure
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Female, Germany, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Regression Analysis, Residence Characteristics, Seasons, Sex Factors, Socioeconomic Factors, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Body Mass Index, Multivariate Analysis, Linear Models, Dietary Supplements, Young Adult

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