This was despite the fact that that those born in Southern and Central Asia and North Africa and the Middle East had relatively high rates of Vitamin D supplement use (14% and 15% respectively compared with 4% of those born in Australia). The NHMS showed that Vitamin D deficiency was much more common among those born in Southern and Central Asia (67%) as well as North East Asia (64%), South East Asia (58%) and North Africa and the Middle East (50%). The Australian position statement on Vitamin D² highlights that Vitamin D deficiency may be more prevalent among those with darker skin or who cover their skin for cultural or religious reasons. The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency varies among the Australian population, with the groups at greatest risk typically being those with limited sun exposure.² # Note that the position statement states that levels may need to be 10 to 20 nmol/L higher at the end of summer, to allow for seasonal decrease. * Note that the cut-off recommended in the position statement is <12.5 nmol/L, but the NHMS is unable to output against this cut-off as the Vitamin D data is only available in whole numbers. In the NHMS, the levels recommended in a recent Australian position statement on Vitamin D² have been applied to determine Vitamin D deficiency. Given the expensive equipment required for the LCMS method and the lack of standardisation in measurement across laboratories, the LCMS method is not yet widely used in Australia³ and standardised test cut-offs are yet to be developed. This method has the highest sensitivity and specificity for measurement of Vitamin D and is considered by many to be the gold standard Vitamin D assay.⁴ The NHMS used the Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) method to assess Vitamin D status. In the ABS National Health Measures Survey (NHMS), Vitamin D levels were measured via a blood test, which measures Vitamin D obtained from both food and sunlight.
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