In the study, published in paediatrics journal Acta Pediátrica Portuguesa, to which Lusa had access on Tuesday, the researcher from CINTESIS – Centre for Research in Health Technologies and Services, showed that vitamin D deficiency may become a public health issue among Portuguese children.

The sample of children, aged between five and 17, showed a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency of 48%, and 6% had a severe deficiency and 5% had “a bone mineralisation deficit for their age.”

According to Rêgo, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is “a high risk for future bone health,” with “potential impact on bone and metabolic health,” as “two thirds of bone mass is formed in adolescence.”

The researcher noted, that “the results of this study make us rethink recommendations about vitamin D supplementation for Portuguese children and, above all, underscore the need to promote lifestyle changes.”

The researcher explained that vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone formation.

Vitamin D is found in a number of foods but the main source is production from exposing the skin to sunlight