Vitamin D status and associated factors among Portuguese older adults: results from the Nutrition UP 65 cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate vitamin D status and its associated factors in Portuguese older adults from the Nutrition UP 65 study. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Nationwide cluster sample of 1500 Portuguese subjects ≥65 years old. Participants were classified, according to US Institute of Medicine cut-offs, as presenting normal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels (≥50.0 nmol/L), at risk of inadequacy (30.0–49.9 nmol/L) or at risk of deficiency (<30 nmol/L). The association between individuals’ characteristics and 25(OH)D levels was analysed through multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Median 25(OH)D serum value was 36.1 (interquartile range (IQR): 35.5) nmol/L. According to the used cut-offs, 39.6% of participants were at risk of 25(OH)D deficiency and 29.4% were at risk of 25(OH)D inadequacy. In the adjusted model, having higher skin pigmentation and waist circumference >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men were associated with higher odds of 25(OH)D deficiency. Otherwise, living in Lisbon Metropolitan Area and in Madeira, 1–12 years of schooling, being married or in a common-law marriage, monthly income ≥€1000, alcohol consumption, medication or supplements with vitamin D supplement use, and blood samples collected in spring or summer were associated with lower odds of being at risk of 25(OH)D deficiency. In this model, season of blood sample collection, medication or supplements use, and waist circumference were the factors more strongly associated with 25(OH)D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Despite using the conservative Institute of Medicine cut-offs, over two-thirds of these study participants presented inadequate 25(OH)D levels, warranting the implementation of corrective measures. Potentially modifiable factors were strongly associated with 25(OH)D levels in this study. These findings may be particularly relevant to the development of public health policies in southern European countries.