Rates of Vitamin D Deficiency in Children (less than 18 years old) – by Race. (NHANES data)
African American children are most at risk with 41% being deficient and 1% being in the recommended level. Why? The darker the skin the lower vitamin D is produced in sunlight – so darker skinned children will make less vitamin D at recess, walking to school – normal day-to-day activities.
The most important thing to do is a test – children can join D*action. You can modify their sun and supplement habits and measure again. Ensure they are between 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) their whole life.
