Vitamin D Status for Chinese Children and Adolescents in CNNHS 2016–2017

Vitamin D is very important in maintaining children’s bone health because of its regulatory role in calcium and phosphate metabolism. To better understand vitamin D status and related risk factors of children and adolescents in China, this study analyzed the 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25(OH)D) concentration of children and adolescents aged 6–17 years in China and assessed the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. We analyzed the data of 25(OH)D concentration collected from the China National Nutrition and Health Survey of Children and Lactating Mothers in 2016–2017 (CNNHS 2016–2017). The age, sex, region type, ethnicities, season, weight and height were recorded, measured by unified questionnaire, equipment and standards. The concentration of 25(OH)D was detected by LC-MS/MS. A total of 64,391 participants from the cross-sectional study of CNNHS in 2016–2017 were included in this study. The median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 17.70 (13.20–22.68) ng/mL, 18.70 (14.10–23.80) ng/mL in boys and 16.60 (12.40–21.40) ng/mL in girls. The total prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 65.98% when the cut-off was 20 ng/mL, 60.42% for boys and 71.99% for girls. According to the results of logistic regression analysis, girls aged above 12 y, living in midlands and northern regions, in spring and winter seasons and with abdominal obesity will have a significantly increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among Chinese children and adolescents. The results showed that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are very common among children and adolescents aged 6–17 y in China. They should be encouraged to have more effective sunlight exposure, increased intake of vitamin D from food or supplements in their diet, especially for those aged above 12 y, living in the northern or midlands areas, in spring and winter, and abdominally obese.