A. Andrade1, B. Hartman1, M. Mohebbi1, C. Sutherland1, H. Resvick1, J. Madill1

1School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON

Adequate Vitamin D [VD] is critical for individuals during their child-bearing years as suboptimal maternal VD can lead to negative maternal and infant outcomes. CCHS data indicated that most individuals capable of bearing children between 18-45 years do not meet their dietary VD requirements. Nutrition professors play a vital role in educating nutrition students on the merits of their own VD intake, supplementation, and VD food sources, as they fall within this age category.

To describe the dietary and supplemental VD intake differences between nutrition students and the CCHS.

Fifty-five students were recruited from an Ontario University. Participants completed 3-day food records analyzed by ESHA. Dietary and supplemental VD intake data were collected from CCHS [n=2737] components: “24-hour Dietary Recall” and “Nutritional Supplements and Details,” and were analyzed using SAS. Descriptive statistics determined average VD intake and top contributors of VD food sources.

Students’ with mean age of 22.7 years had dietary VD intake of 3.3 ± 3.3 mcg and supplemental VD intake of 22.4 mcg. CCHS data reported mean dietary VD intake of 4.25 ± 0.18 mcg and supplemental VD intake of 28.3 ± 2.17 mcg. Top VD food contributors from students were eggs (24%), cow’s milk (22%), and cheese (20%), compared to cow’s milk (31%), margarine (17%), and eggs (10%) in CCHS data.

Results indicate that CCHS individuals and nutrition students in their child-bearing years are not meeting their VD requirements from food. However, VD supplementation was an important component for both groups to better meet their requirements. Top VD food contributors were similar between groups.

These findings provide convincing evidence that young individuals are not meeting their VD requirements unless they are consuming VD supplements. Nutrition education strategies will need to be implemented to discuss possible supplementation with these individuals.

Brescia University College