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Background A well-designed, validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire ( FFQ) could offer an efficient and cost-effective method for assessing habitual vitamin D intake. The present study aimed to describe the development, validation and implementation of a vitamin D FFQ. Methods National food consumption survey data obtained from Irish adults (18-64 years) were used to identify foods that contribute 95% of vitamin D intake. A winter-based validation study was carried out for the resulting FFQ in 120 females, including 98 women [mean (SD) 65.0 (7.3) years] and 22 girls [12.2 (0.8) years], using a 14-day diet history ( DH) as a comparator. Serum 25( OH)D concentrations were analysed. Validity coefficients were calculated using the method of triads. Cross-classification and Bland-Altman analysis were also performed. Results Median (interquartile range) vitamin D intakes (including the contribution from nutritional supplements) were 5.4 (3.7) and 3.7 (5.9) μg day−1 from the FFQ and DH, respectively and intakes of vitamin D from food sources were 3.6 (3.1) and 2.4 (2.2) μg day−1. The FFQ and DH classified 86% and 87% of individuals into the same and adjacent thirds of wintertime serum 25( OH)D status, respectively. There was a strong association ( r = 0.71, P < 0.0001) and no significant systematic or proportional bias observed for the difference between estimates from the FFQ and DH. The validity coefficient for the FFQ was 0.92 (95% confidence interval = 0.80-0.97). Repeatability analysis ( n = 56) performed 6-12 months later showed no significant difference in estimates of vitamin D between administrations. Conclusions The data obtained in the present study indicate high validity and good reproducibility of a short, interviewer-administered FFQ for vitamin D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D deficiency has significant implications for human health throughout life and impacts on healthy growth and development and successful ageing. Persistent knowledge gaps are barriers to developing and implementing a safe and effective public health strategy to prevent vitamin D deficiency and maintain nutritional adequacy throughout the year. The European Commission-funded ODIN project (Food-based solutions for optimal vitamin D nutrition and health through the life cycle) will provide the evidence base to prevent vitamin D deficiency and improve nutrition and public health through food. ODIN will deliver the first internationally comparable dataset of vitamin D status and report the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency across Europe for the first time. In a series of dose-response randomised controlled trials, ODIN will estimate dietary requirements for vitamin D in pregnant women, children, adolescents and adults of South Asian and East African origin resident in Northern European countries. Using clinically validated, disease-specific cohorts with standardised 25( OH)D data, ODIN will investigate associations between vitamin D status and perinatal outcomes, atopic disease and bone growth in children, and cardiovascular and mortality risk in older adults. We will publish estimates of the distribution of vitamin D intake and serum 25( OH) D concentration resulting from changes in vitamin D in the food supply, accounting for latitude, sun exposure and diet. Utilising advanced food production systems and targeted animal and human feeding studies, ODIN will propose safe, novel and effective food-based strategies to eradicate vitamin D deficiency that are inclusive, sustainable and affordable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is substantial evidence that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high across Europe, particularly, but not exclusively, among those resident at Northerly latitudes. This has significant implications for human health throughout the lifecycle and impacts upon healthy growth and development and successful ageing for current and possibly future generations. In recent years, there have been several important reports from North America and Europe in relation to dietary reference values ( DRVs) for vitamin D. These may be of enormous value from a public health perspective in terms of preventing vitamin D deficiency and promoting adequate vitamin D status in the population. In this concise review, we provide a brief summary of current DRVs for vitamin D, their background and their application to vitamin D deficiency prevention. The review also provides some brief guidance with respect to applying the DRVs in a clinical nutrition setting. In addition, the review illustrates how current dietary intakes of most populations, young and adult, are well short of the newly established DRVs. Accordingly, the review highlights potential food-based or dietary strategies for increasing the distribution of vitamin D intake in the population with the aim of preventing vitamin D deficiency. Finally, despite the explosion in scientific research in vitamin D and health, there are many fundamental gaps in the field of vitamin D from the public health perspective. The impact of these knowledge gaps on current DRVs for vitamin D is highlighted, as are some future developments that may help address these gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease-associated osteopenia may be related to pathological rates of bone turnover; however, the literature shows mixed results. Aim To compare bone biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease patients (Crohn's disease: n = 68, and ulcerative colitis: n = 32, separately) with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Subjects Patients and controls were recruited from Cork University Hospital and Cork City area, respectively. Results Relative to that in their respective controls, Crohn's disease ( n = 47) and ulcerative colitis ( n = 26) patients (i.e. excluding supplement users) had significantly ( P < 0.05–0.001) higher serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (by 27% and 63%, respectively) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (by 15% and 21%, respectively) and urinary Type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptides concentrations (by 87% and 112%, respectively). Relative to that in their respective controls, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients had significantly ( P < 0.01) lower serum total osteocalcin (by 20% and 42%, respectively) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (by 37% and 42%, respectively), while serum parathyroid hormone levels were similar. In the combined patient group ( n = 100), undercarboxylated osteocalcin was positively associated with bone markers. Conclusions Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients have altered bone turnover relative to that in healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: While wintertime vitamin D deficiency has been well-documented in Crohn's disease patients, less is known about vitamin D status during summertime and whether a seasonal variation exists in bone turnover.: To compare vitamin D status and bone turnover markers in Crohn's disease patients with age- and sex-matched controls during late-summer and late-winter.: Crohn's disease patients (n = 44; mean age 36.9 years, currently in remission) and matched controls (n = 44) were recruited from Cork University Hospital and Cork City area, respectively.: Bloods were analysed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and urine analysed for N-telopeptides of type 1 collagen.: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly (P < 0.003) lower in Crohn's disease patients than in control subjects during both seasons. In Crohn's disease patients, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were lower (P < 0.0001) whereas serum parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and urinary N-telopeptides of type 1 collagen levels were higher (P < 0.001) during late-winter than late-summer.: There were notable seasonal variations in vitamin D status and bone turnover markers in Crohn's disease patients. The impact of winter decline in vitamin D status and increase in bone turnover on long-term risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis in Crohn's disease patients is unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]