Vitamin D2026-07

Compliance with the Netherlands' vitamin D supplementation recommendation for three at-risk groups: young children, women over 50 years, and elderly.

Verbakel M R, de Jong M H, Verkaik-Kloosterman J — European journal of nutrition

Summary

A study in the Netherlands investigated how well specific groups, including young children, women over 50, and the elderly, followed national recommendations to take vitamin D supplements. It found that while most young children took supplements, fewer older women and elderly individuals did, suggesting significant room for improvement in these adult groups to meet health guidelines.

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Key points

The study examined how well young children, women over 50, and the elderly in the Netherlands followed vitamin D supplement recommendations.
Most young children (71%) reported taking vitamin D supplements, showing good compliance.
Fewer women over 50 (38%) and elderly individuals (40%) used vitamin D supplements.
Among those who did take supplements, many in the adult groups did not use the exact recommended dosage.

What the study looked at

This study explores how well certain groups in the Netherlands adhere to national vitamin D supplementation guidelines. **What question did the study ask?** This study investigated how well specific groups in the Netherlands—young children, women over 50, and the elderly—followed national recommendations to take daily vitamin D supplements. These groups are particularly vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency, and the recommendations apply regardless of sun exposure. **How was it studied?** Researchers analyzed data from the Dutch National Food and Consumption Survey (2019-2021). They looked at information from 703 young children (1-3 years), 451 women (50-69 years), and 331 elderly individuals (70-79 years). Participants reported their supplement use through a general questionnaire and detailed 24-hour dietary recalls, noting the type and dosage of any vitamin D-containing supplements. **What did it find?** The study found that 71% of young children used vitamin D supplements, compared to 38% of women over 50 and 40% of the elderly. Among those who did take supplements, about 70% of children used the advised dosage, but only 30% of women and 35% of the elderly did so. This suggests that while children generally follow the advice, there's significant room to improve compliance among older adults.

Dietary takeaway

This study highlights that while vitamin D supplements are important for certain at-risk groups, actual use varies. For adults, incorporating vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) or fortified dairy and plant-based milks into your diet can help, but supplements may still be necessary to meet recommendations, especially if dietary intake is insufficient. Remember, this is one study from the Netherlands, and individual needs and national guidelines can differ, so always consult with a healthcare professional.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent vitamin D deficiency subgroups are advised to daily take a vitamin D supplement. Knowledge on the compliance with this recommendation is limited. For young children, women over 50 yrs, and elderly, the supplementation recommendation is independent of sunlight exposure. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate compliance with the supplementation recommendation for these groups. METHODS: Data on young children (1-3 yrs, n = 703), women (50-69 yrs, n = 451), and elderly (70-79 yrs, n = 331) from the Dutch National Food and Consumption Survey (DNFCS) 2019-2021 were analysed for vitamin D-containing supplement use. With a general questionnaire (GQ) information was collected on frequency of use of sub-types of supplements (e.g. vitamin D, vitamin D & calcium, multivitamin, multivitamins-minerals). In two 24-h dietary recalls, use of supplements was reported in detail; e.g. type and dosage. RESULTS: 71% of young children, 38% of women, and 40% of elderly reported use of vitamin D-containing supplements (GQ: 80%, 55%, and 50%, respectively). Among supplement users, 70% of young children, 30% of women, and 35% of elderly used exactly the advised dosage. CONCLUSION: Compliance with vitamin D supplementation recommendation was high in young children and could be improved most among women over 50 years and elderly. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies to improve compliance in these groups. In addition, to ensure that the supplementation recommendations are effective in achieving adequate vitamin D status, regular monitoring of vitamin D status and related health outcomes in all target groups is warranted.

View on PubMed →DOI: 10.1007/s00394-026-04052-1