Plain language summary
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, and low vitamin D status is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Ethnic minority populations with darker skin are considered as a high-risk group for vitamin D deficiency, owing mainly to having less ability to synthesise vitamin D from sunlight due to the skin pigment melanin and/or reduced skin exposure due to clothing required by religious or cultural traditions. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate vitamin D intake and status of ethnic minority populations with darker skin. The authors examined previous observational studies and randomised controlled trials. Ethnic minority populations generally have a lower vitamin D status than white populations. Compared with Caucasians, there is evidence that Asians require approximately three times longer periods of sunlight exposure, and Africans six times the same exposure, to achieve the same blood levels of vitamin D. The main food sources for dietary vitamin D intake were different for ethnic minority populations and white populations. There is limited evidence on the impact of vitamin D supplementation on different ethnic groups. The authors concluded that food fortification could be explored to increase dietary vitamin D intake in ethnic minority populations who generally have lower levels of vitamin D.
Abstract
In recent years, vitamin D deficiency has attracted attention worldwide. Especially many ethnic minority populations are considered at high-risk of vitamin D deficiency, owing to a lesser ability to synthesis vitamin D from sunlight (ultraviolet B), due to the skin pigment melanin and/or reduced skin exposure due to coverage required by religious and cultural restrictions. Therefore, vitamin D intake from dietary sources has become increasingly important for many ethnic minority populations to achieve adequate vitamin D status compared with the majority of the population. The aim of the study was critically evaluate the vitamin D intake and vitamin D status of the ethnic minority populations with darker skin, and also vitamin D absorption from supplements and ultraviolet B. Pubmed, Embaase and Scopus were searched for articles published up to October 2018. The available evidence showed ethnic minority populations generally have a lower vitamin D status than the majority populations. The main contributory food sources for dietary vitamin D intake were different for ethnic minority populations and majority populations, due to vary dietary patterns. Future strategies to increase dietary vitamin D intake by food fortification or biofortification needs to be explored, not only for the majority population but more specifically for ethnic minority populations who are generally of lower vitamin D status.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
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Not applicable
Allocation concealment
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