Zahra Taheri
1, Mahin Ghafari
1, Abdollah Hajivandi
2, Masoud Amiri
1*1 Social Health Determinants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
2 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
Abstract
Low vitamin D level is an important international public health problem. Vitamin D deficiency and its consequences among children and adolescents could indeed be considered as one of the most important public health problems. In fact, low vitamin D levels were reported in both children and adolescents. Several reasons could be taken into account in this regard such as the possibility of the reduced intake or synthesis of vitamin D (due to having a vitamin D deficient mother or a dark skin color), abnormal intestinal function or malabsorption (in small-bowel disorders), or reduced synthesis or increased degradation of vitamin D (in chronic liver or renal disease). More importantly, many countries in developing world, are experiencing a substantial percentage of adolescent and youth population with their own health related problems which vitamin D deficiency could affect on their health. The association between obesity and overweighting and vitamin D deficiency has been reported by many researchers. Diabetes mellitus has also an association with vitamin D deficiency, for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Due to the importance of vitamin D deficiency and its negative health consequences, taking the vitamin D supplement seems to be necessary
Implication for health policy/practice/research/ medical education
Vitamin D deficiency can play a role as a substantial international health related problem. The consequences of Vitamin D deficiency should be considered as an important priority.
Please cite this paper as: Taheri Z, Ghafari M, Hajivandi A, Amiri M. Vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents; an international challenge. J Parathyr Dis 2014; 2(1): 27-31 .