This scoping review assesses vitamin D deficiency prevalence in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Researchers highlight variability in vitamin D assessment methods and cut-off values across countries.
Key findings:
Vitamin D deficiency is widespread despite the region’s high sunlight exposure.
Most countries use different criteria (Institute of Medicine vs. Endocrine Society) to define deficiency.
Lack of standardization affects public health interventions and global comparability.
The study calls for harmonized vitamin D assessment protocols and region-specific supplementation policies to tackle micronutrient deficiencies effectively.
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