Millions of U.S. children have disturbingly low Vitamin D levels, possibly increasing their risk for bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments, according to two new studies that provide the first national assessment of the crucial nutrient in young Americans.
About 9 percent of those ages 1 through 21—about 7.6 million children, adolescents and young adults—have Vitamin D levels so low they could be considered deficient, while an additional 61 percent—50.8 million—have higher levels, but still low enough to be insufficient, according to the analysis of federal data being released Monday.
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Low Vitamin D levels are especially common among girls, adolescents and people with darker skin, according to the analysis of a nationally representative sample of more than 6,000 children. For example, 59 percent of African American teenage girls were Vitamin D deficient, Melamed’s study found.
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