NSU Research Contributions
Title : High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency among Bangladeshi Children: An Emerging Public Health Problem
Authors : Sanjana Zaman, Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader, Animesh Biswas, Mahmudul Hasan, Mobashera Jahan, Gias U Ahsan
| Journal Article Title: Health | Volume Number: 9 | Publication Year : 2017 | Issue Number: 12 |
| Index: indexed | Ranking: No Ranking | ISSN (Print): 1949-4998 | Publisher Name: Scientific Research Publishing Inc. (SCIRP) |
| Pages : 9 | |||
| ISSN (Online): 1949-5005 | |||
| Funding Source : None |
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Direct Sustainable Development Goals : SDG3 Good Health & Well-being |
Indirect Sustainable Development Goals : SDG2 Zero Hunger SDG10 Reduced Inequality |
Sustainable Development Sub Goals : Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being Achieve universal health coverage End all forms of malnutrition |
| Impact statement: This cross-sectional study of 300 children in Dhaka reveals a critically high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, identifying it as an alarming and silent public health concern. The research demonstrates that deficiency rates increase as children age, with 46.75% of adolescents (12–16 years) found to be deficient. Despite the country's abundant sunlight, factors such as skin pigmentation, traditional clothing, air pollution, and limited outdoor activity are identified as major drivers of this crisis. These findings serve as an urgent call for the government to launch a formal vitamin D supplementation program from birth through adolescence and to mandate the fortification of staple foods like milk and oil to ensure the healthy development of the nation's youth. | Collaboration: NGO | Keywords: Prevalence, Serum 25(OH)D, Vitamin D, Children, Deficiency, Bangladesh |
