In December 2012, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) launched a campaign to tackle vitamin D deficiency.

• In the UK, it is thought to affect at least 50% of the Caucasian population and up to 90% of the multi-ethnic population;
• Over the last 15 years, there has been a four-fold increase in cases of rickets; and
• Only 10% of the recommended levels of vitamin D are acquired through food.

Earlier in the year, in February 2012, the Chief Medical Officer recommended that the follwoing groups should take vitamin D supplements:

• All pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• Children aged 6 months to 5 years old; and
• People aged 65 and over.

References

DoH (Department of Health) (2012) Vitamin D – Advice on Supplements for at Risk Groups. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_con-sum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_132508.pdf [Accessed: 01 May, 2013].

RCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) (2012) RCPCH Launches Vitamin D Campaign. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news/rcpch-launches-vitamin-d-campaign [Accessed: 01 May, 2013].

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