New Delhi: Urban India is facing a silent epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency. A new nationwide study by Metropolis Healthcare Limited, one of the nation’s most prominent pathology labs, has revealed that 46.5 per cent of individuals tested between 2019 and January 2025 showed Vitamin D deficiency.
The study analysed over 22 lakh test results. A large number of Indians also show inadequate levels of Vitamin D.
“Another 26% had insufficient levels, highlighting widespread Vitamin D inadequacy among health-seeking individuals. The findings underline the urgent need for greater preventive awareness, improved nutrition, and regular screening,” read the study.
Known as the “sunshine vitamin”, Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining bone and muscle strength. It also helps boost the immune system.
The study found that teenagers show the highest deficiency, at 66.9 per cent of individuals testing deficient. Adolescents and working-age adults are also among the most affected groups.
The deficiency has been largely linked to urban lifestyles, which include reduced sun exposure and poor dietary habits.
“Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most overlooked health challenges in India today. Its effects are silent but far-reaching, impacting not only bone health, immunity but overall wellbeing,” said Surendran Chemmenkotil, Managing Director, Metropolis Healthcare Limited.
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North-south divide
One of the major observations of the study is a north-south divide in the number of people suffering from Vitamin D deficiency.
South India stands out with 51.6 per cent deficient individuals. Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu have topped the list, each with over 50 per cent deficiency. Central India is next, at 48.1 percent, while North India stood at 44.9 per cent.
“West India, including Maharashtra (42.9%), showed better sufficiency levels, and the North-East (36.9%) recorded the lowest deficiency, reflecting the benefits of outdoor lifestyles and diverse diets,” the report said.
The symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency aren’t prominent until fatigue, weakness, and recurrent illness set in. And a normal Vitamin D test doesn’t determine the scope of deficiency.
“Testing of calcium level and parathyroid hormone levels is crucial to arrive at a conclusive cause of Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency,” said Dr Kirti Chadha, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer at Metropolis Healthcare Limited.
There is a silver lining. Vitamin D deficiency is often observed to be higher in women, but this seems to have changed. The study found that 46.9 per cent of women participants tested deficient, against 45.8 per cent of men. The lab experts attribute this improvement to better nutrition and increased diagnostic access for women.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)