Rates of deficiency also remained very high even during the summer months, with 60% of people born in Southern and Central Asia and 50% of people born in South East Asia still being deficient in December to February. This was despite the fact that that those born in Southern and Central Asia and North Africa and the Middle East had relatively high rates of Vitamin D supplement use (14% and 15% respectively compared with 4% of those born in Australia).
The NHMS showed that Vitamin D deficiency was much more common among those born in Southern and Central Asia (67%) as well as North East Asia (64%), South East Asia (58%) and North Africa and the Middle East (50%). The Australian position statement on Vitamin D² highlights that Vitamin D deficiency may be more prevalent among those with darker skin or who cover their skin for cultural or religious reasons. The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency varies among the Australian population, with the groups at greatest risk typically being those with limited sun exposure.² # Note that the position statement states that levels may need to be 10 to 20 nmol/L higher at the end of summer, to allow for seasonal decrease. * Note that the cut-off recommended in the position statement is <12.5 nmol/L, but the NHMS is unable to output against this cut-off as the Vitamin D data is only available in whole numbers. In the NHMS, the levels recommended in a recent Australian position statement on Vitamin D² have been applied to determine Vitamin D deficiency. Given the expensive equipment required for the LCMS method and the lack of standardisation in measurement across laboratories, the LCMS method is not yet widely used in Australia³ and standardised test cut-offs are yet to be developed. This method has the highest sensitivity and specificity for measurement of Vitamin D and is considered by many to be the gold standard Vitamin D assay.⁴ The NHMS used the Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) method to assess Vitamin D status. In the ABS National Health Measures Survey (NHMS), Vitamin D levels were measured via a blood test, which measures Vitamin D obtained from both food and sunlight.
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