Vitamin D Awareness, Prevalence of Supplementation and Estimated Total Vitamin D Intake in College Athletes

This study aimed to investigate the awareness of vitamin D among collegiate athletes and evaluate the association between vitamin D awareness and total dietary intake of vitamin D. Eighty-one athletes completed the vitamin D awareness and dietary intake questionnaire. The results showed that males and females had very little concern over their vitamin D levels. Men reported 20.7% while females 25% for "likely" or "very likely". Furthermore, overall male and female belief for being at risk for vitamin D deficiency was low. Males reported 24.1% for either "likely" or "very likely" to be at risk for deficiency and females 30.7% respectively. Overall, median intake of vitamin D was 330 IU, which is below the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 600 IU. Median intake of vitamin D was higher for males (693 IU) when compared to females (263 IU). Over half of the males met the RDA for vitamin D (62.1%), while only 26.9% of females reached the RDA. Awareness is positively correlated with vitamin D intake (r = .483, p < 0.01). It appears that concern for poor vitamin D status and familiarity influences total vitamin D intake. In addition, 60.5% (49) of our athletes not meeting the RDA for vitamin D intake represents poor vitamin D levels need to be improved. Interventions aimed at increasing awareness of the risk of poor vitamin D status may reduce the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in collegiate athletes.