Americans of all ages, races, and genders have insufficient to deficient levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3). Americans choose to take vitamin D supplements to combat low serum vitamin D levels, meet physiological needs and prevent diseases. The purpose of this research was to study the racial, gender, age, income, and education level differences in the prevalence of vitamin D supplement intake and mean amount of vitamin D supplement taken in the American population from the file, Dietary Supplement Questionnaire, NHANES 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006 data. The statistical software, SUDDAN was used to control the weights of the samples.
The data of 21,455 participants included in the sample, 2 years of age and older derived from the surveys were analyzed in this study to assess vitamin D supplement intake by Americans. According to the analysis, 33.7% (n=5,467) of the respondents reported consuming a vitamin D supplement. In this study, a higher percent of vitamin D supplement takers were females [37.7%], non-Hispanic whites [38.5%], elderly [53.3% of 71-85 years], college graduates [50%], and household incomes greater than $65,000 [41.6%]. The lowest percent of vitamin D supplement takers were males [29.7%], Mexican-Americans [19.2%], adolescents [16.6%], people with less than high school education [20.7%], and those with household incomes less than $20,000 [22.7%].
The groups that took the highest mean amount of vitamin D supplements were females [413.2 ± 9.7 IU], non-Hispanic whites [391.1 ± 6.8 IU], the elderly [485 ± 16.1 IU], high school graduates [426.4 ± 14.1], and household incomes greater than $65,000 [393 ± 9.5 IU]. The groups who took the least amount of vitamin D supplements were males [359.9 ± 7.1 IU], Mexican-Americans [317.4 ± 9.7 IU], ages 2-5 years [307.4 ± 10.5 IU], less than high school education [378.9 ± 23.9 IU], and household incomes less than $20,000 [375.6 ± 14.9 IU].
In conclusion, the American population groups most likely to take a vitamin D supplement are women, elderly, non-Hispanic whites, college graduates, and incomes >$65,000. The groups most likely to take the highest mean amount are women, non-Hispanic whites, elderly, high school education, and incomes >$65,000.