Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions towards Vitamin D in a UK Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Main Authors: Clodagh O’Connor, Dominique Glatt, Lois White, Raquel Revuelta Iniesta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: vitamin D; knowledge; attitudes; perceptions; fortification; supplementation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/11/2387

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the United Kingdom is high, despite updated Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) guidelines. Therefore, our aims were to identify population knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of vitamin D supplementation and factors contributing to supplement use in a UK adult population. A cross-sectional study was performed between April&#8315;June 2018 using a newly designed piloted questionnaire. Scores for knowledge were calculated as a percentage (Boland et al. 2015). Logistic regression analysis was used to predict supplement use. 209 participants (82% female), mean (&#177;SD) age 34.9 (&#177;12.3) completed the questionnaire. The mean (&#177;SD) vitamin D knowledge score was 56.6% (&#177;19.9%); only 48% were concerned about their vitamin D concentration and 57% did not take vitamin D. Most participants (86%) wished to learn more about vitamin D. Knowledge score (OR 2.5; <i>p</i> = 0.01; 95% CI 1.2&#8315;5.3), concern (OR 2.1; <i>p</i> = 0.03; 95% CI 1.0&#8315;4.2) and location (OR 0.3; <i>p</i> = 0.006; 95% CI 0.1&#8315;0.7) predicted supplemented use. Individuals living in England had 2.9 (95% CI 1.4&#8315;6.3) lower odds of taking vitamin D than those living in Scotland. As a result of these findings, this study suggests that vitamin D supplementation and fortification, alongside education strategies, may be an effective method for improving UK vitamin D health; however, more research is warranted.