Dietary intake and main food sources of vitamin D as a function of age, sex, vitamin D status,
body composition and income in an elderly German cohort
Sammanfattning
Background: Elderly subjects are at risk of insufficient vitamin D status mainly because of
diminished capacity for cutaneous vitamin D synthesis. In cases of insufficient endogenous
production, vitamin D status depends on vitamin D intake.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the main food sources of vitamin D in elderly
subjects and to analyse whether contributing food sources differ by sex, age, vitamin D status, body
mass index (BMI), or household income. In addition, we analysed the factors that influence dietary
vitamin D intake in the elderly.
Design and subjects: This is a cross-sectional study in 235 independently living German elderly
aged 66–96 years (BMI=27±4 kg/m2). Vitamin D intake was assessed by a 3-day estimated dietary
record.
Results: The main sources of dietary vitamin D were fish/fish products followed by eggs, fats/oils,
bread/bakery products, and milk/dairy products. Differences in contributing food groups by sex, age,
vitamin D status, and BMI were not found. Fish contributed more to vitamin D intake in subjects with
a household income of <1,500 €/month compared to subjects with higher income. In multiple
regression analysis, fat intake and frequency of fish consumption were positive determinants of
dietary vitamin D intake, whereas household income and percentage total body fat negatively
affected vitamin D intake. Other parameters, including age, sex, physical activity, smoking, intake of
energy, milk, eggs and alcohol, showed no significant association with vitamin D intake.
Conclusion: Low habitual dietary vitamin D intake does not affect vitamin D status in summer, and
fish is the major contributor to vitamin D intake independent of sex, age, vitamin D status, BMI, and
the income of subjects.