Vitamin D nutritional status and related biochemical indices in an autonomous elderly population

Energy, calcium, phosphorus, protein, and vitamin D dietary intakes, assessed from 24-h recall, were determined for 137 women and 49 men living alone who had low incomes. Related biochemical indices were measured. Women had lower energy, Ca, P, and protein intakes than did men and Vitamin D intakes were low for both groups. More than 50% of the cohort consumed less than 50% of the Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI) for vitamin D and 21-26% for Ca. Although serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] levels were lower than those observed in a reference population, the mean serum Ca, inorganic P, and alkaline phosphatase were not different. The dietary data and serum 25-(OH)D levels suggest that this population is at risk for hypovitaminosis D.