Serum vitamin D status of New Zealanders: results from a national nutrition survey

Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were measured, using LC‐tandem mass spectrometry, in 3009 individuals, 15 y or over, participating in the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. Mean serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 61 nmol/L (95%CI, 59 to 63 nmol/L) and was highest in Jan, at 79 nmol/L (71, 86), and lowest in Sep, at 47 nmol/L (44, 51). The prevalence of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below the deficiency level of 25 nmol/L was 6% (95%CI, 5 to 7%) and below the recommended target of 50 nmol/L was 37% (34, 40). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the adjusted mean serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 11 nmol/L (95%CI, 8 to 14) lower in Pacific than “New Zealand European and Other” people, 7 nmol/L (4, 10) lower in obese than normal weight individuals, 10 nmol/L (6, 14) lower in those in highest compared with lowest category of economic deprivation, and 13 nmol/L (7, 18) lower at the highest compared with lowest latitude in the Country. Approximately one third of New Zealanders do not meet the recommended targets for serum vitamin D status. Funding: The Ministry of Health, New Zealand, funded the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey.