Dietary Vitamin D Intake Among High-Risk Adolescents With Insulin Dependent Diabetes

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to describe the dietary intake of vitamin D in an urban, low income, predominantly African American sample of adolescents with insulin dependent diabetes. Methods Participants were 99 adolescents diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes. Vitamin D intake was estimated from dietary recall data. Blood glucose levels were also assessed. Results The average daily vitamin D intake estimated from dietary recall data was 102 IUs (SD = 64.4) with 70% of adolescents consuming less than 50 IUs of vitamin D in their day. Level of vitamin D intake was a significant predictor of HbA1c levels in the current sample. Conclusions Results indicate a need for the assessment of vitamin D levels in this at-risk population, as supplementation may be indicated.