Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among medical students in central India: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent in India despite adequate sunlight availability. Young adults, particularly medical students with predominantly indoor academic schedules, may be at increased risk of inadequate vitamin D status. However, data regarding vitamin D status among healthy young adults from Central India remain limited. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Central India Medical College, between May 2024 and June 2025. A total of 152 apparently healthy first-year MBBS students aged 17–23 years were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, dietary habits, educational status of the head of the family, socioeconomic status and monthly family income were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were estimated using chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and classified as deficient (<20 ng/ml), insufficient (20–29.9 ng/ml) or sufficient (≥30 ng/ml). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 19.69±1.18 years. The mean serum vitamin D level was 13.98±7.51 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 133 participants (87.5%). No significant association was observed between vitamin D deficiency and gender (p=0.946), dietary pattern (p=0.164) or socioeconomic status (p=0.867). Conclusions: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed among apparently healthy first-year medical students in Central India. The findings highlight the importance of continued attention to vitamin D status among young adults.