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Womens Health
Survey reveals UK people in the dark about vitamin D - the sunshine vitamin
The National Osteoporosis Society revealed today that people in the UK don’t know enough when it comes to vitamin D – the sunshine vitamin, and could be putting their bones at risk.
 In a recent YouGov poll commissioned by the charity, only 35% of people questioned realised that vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. Other findings included:
• Almost a quarter admitted to not knowing why we need vitamin D.
• More than three out of four 18 – 24 year olds did not know that vitamin D is vital for healthy bones.
• Only 6% of all respondents correctly identified going outside, without sunscreen, as the best way to obtain vitamin D. Over a third mistakenly assumed that you should wear sunscreen and a quarter incorrectly thought that a healthy balanced diet should provide enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential because it allows us to effectively absorb calcium from our diet and enables it to be deposited in bone. Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, which helps to build healthy bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that affects an estimated three million people in the UK.
Free Daily Vitamin
The survey also highlighted confusion as to how you actually get vitamin D, with 94% of those surveyed not realising that you need to get outside in the sunshine without sunscreen.
Dr Susan Lanham-New, Nutritional Advisor to the National Osteoporosis Society is concerned about the low levels of knowledge surrounding vitamin D and explains how you can top up your vitamin D levels for free:
“Sunlight is completely free, so even in the current economic climate we should all be able to improve our vitamin D levels.”
“We recommend that between May and September people in the UK should get out in the sun for ten minutes, once or twice a day a day, without sunscreen, which blocks the process of vitamin D production. The human body is very efficient at producing vitamin D so you should have produced enough long before you start to burn, and staying in the sun for too long means that the body breaks down surplus vitamin D shortly after it’s produced. Lying on the beach for two weeks will not top up levels for the rest of the year and may risk skin cancer. However, people should try to enjoy some summer sunshine over the next few months, knowing that safe sun actually does us all some good”
“If you regularly spend a lot of time outside don’t forget that you only need a short amount of time in the sun without sunscreen to produce vitamin D and should always cover up before you start to burn.”
The National Osteoporosis Society’s Dr Claire Bowring said there are a number of simple steps you can take to make sure you get enough Vitamin D, without putting yourself at risk:
• “Take a walk outside during your lunch break or eat your sandwich in the park;
• Spend some time outside watering the plants or doing a bit of gardening;
• Don’t be put off if it’s a bit cloudy – our bodies can still produce vitamin D on a cloudy day, but it might take a little longer;
• Make sure you are actually outside – your body cannot produce vitamin D if you are sitting by a closed window or in a conservatory on a sunny day;
• Instead of using the car for short journeys, why not walk instead? Not only will it boost your vitamin D levels, you’ll also be helping to improve your bone health with walking, a great weight bearing exercise."
If you are fair-skinned, have lots of moles and freckles or have a family history of skin cancer, you should be particularly careful in the sun to reduce your risk of skin cancer, and avoid the strong sunshine in the middle of the day. Babies and children also have very sensitive skin and need careful protection.
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How often a child sees a health visitor is still a postcode lottery, according to new research which reveals the ratio of health visitors to children under five in England.
Figures released by the Family and Parenting Institute show that there are huge variations in the number of health visitors up and down the country - County Durham PCT has one health visitor for every 165 children (see attached report for full list) whereas some London PCTs have as few as one health visitor for 800 children.
Mary MacLeod, Chief Executive of the Family and Parenting Institute said: “The value of health visitors is unquestionable. Parents tell us they are a lifeline. Having a baby is a great joy but also a huge change for any family, especially first time round as you deal with sleepless nights and new demands, Mums and Dads are eager for good advice. And a well-trained health visitor can make all the difference
“Health visitors respond to parents’ worries and concerns, and their unique relationship and position of visiting families in their home means that they can detect problems that parents may not talk about – such as post natal depression, domestic violence or child abuse. They really are the frontline, able to pick problems early before matters get out of hand. This postcode lottery is unacceptable. We need a universal health visitor service so that all parents can have the support they want and need and children’s wellbeing can be safeguarded.”
The Family and Parenting Institute has been campaigning for more health visitors since 2007. It is calling for:
• a universal health visitor service with an intensive service for parents who will benefit most;
• a preventative health visitors service – the key to unlocking support for vulnerable families who are still missing out;
• and a well-trained health visitor service with a clearly defined role and a better career structure.
For more info, visit: www.familyandparenting.org/
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