LB127 - NUTRITIONAL GAPS IN VITAMIN D INTAKE AMONG OLDER ADULTS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH DIETARY GUIDELINES

LB127

NUTRITIONAL GAPS IN VITAMIN D INTAKE AMONG OLDER ADULTS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH DIETARY GUIDELINES

M. Yildirim Spraakman^1,*, Y. Cassidy¹, J. Roberts^1,2, A. O'Callaghan¹

¹Danone Research & Innovation, Utrecht, Netherlands, ²Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Rationale: Vitamin D deficiency due to inadequate dietary intake, limited sunlight exposure and age-related changes affects older adults’ health (i.e., bone mineral density, falls & fractures risk).¹ This review evaluates dietary vitamin D intake of older adults compared to guidelines.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PUBMED database (2019-2024) and citation assessment identified 16 publications involving participants with mean age ≥65 years (yr) from the EU and USA. Nutritional intake data was collected using 24-hour dietary recall (5 studies), food diary (3 studies) and food frequency questionnaire (9 studies). Data was categorized by health conditions and settings (community-dwelling & nursing home) and compared to dietary guidelines (EFSA:15 µg/day(d) for adults; other guidelines from the US, NL, BE, Nordics, DE: 20 µg/d for >70yr).

Results: The mean dietary intake of vitamin D among older adults was 4.4±2.6 µg/d, resulting in gaps of 10.6 µg/d (-71%) and 15.6 µg/d (-78%) compared to EFSA and guidelines for >70 yr. Subgroup analysis showed mean intakes of 5.8 µg (at risk of malnutrition), 5.0 µg (falls & fractures), 4.5 µg (pre-frail & frail), 6.1 µg (community-dwelling) and 1.6 µg (nursing home). Supplemental vitamin D was reported in 7 studies with 15.7% of participants using supplementation, dosages ranging from 5-20 µg/d. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured in 8 studies, with a mean of 20.4±6.9 ng/ml, indicating vitamin D insufficiency.

Conclusion: Dietary intake of vitamin D among older adults is considerably lower than dietary guidelines, and vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent. This highlights the need for targeted vitamin D strategies and monitoring, as dietary intake alone is insufficient to help older adults reach the recommended levels to support health outcomes.

References: ¹ Giustina A et al. Endocrine. 2023 Jan;79(1):31-44.

Disclosure of Interest: M. Yildirim Spraakman Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, Y. Cassidy Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, J. Roberts Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, A. O'Callaghan Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation