One in five Indians lack this key vitamin: Experts raise alarm over silent health crisis

One in every five Indians suffers from vitamin D deficiency, with Delhi among the most affected cities, according to a report by the Times of India (TOI). The problem cuts across age and profession, from children and athletes to army personnel and healthcare workers.

The findings come from a meta-analysis by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and ANVKA Foundation, an NGO. The report, titled "Roadmap to Address Vitamin D Deficiency in India", was released on Tuesday.

Which Cities Are Affected the Most?
The analysis shows that many Indian cities face a serious vitamin D crisis. Vadodara tops the list with 89% deficiency, followed by Surat (88%), Jaipur (81%), Kolkata (79%), Mumbai (78%) and Delhi (72%). Young people are hit hard, 84% of those under 25 and 81% of those aged 25-40 are deficient.


Why Is Vitamin D Important?

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. Its lack can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults — a condition where bones become soft. Low levels of this vitamin also cause muscle weakness, tiredness and even depression. According to experts, it is also linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers like breast and prostate.

Dr Aashish Chaudhry, MD of Aakash Healthcare and co-author of the study, told TOI, “Vitamin D deficiency is a silent epidemic affecting millions, yet it remains largely overlooked. It weakens immunity and increases the risk of long-term diseases. Fixing this problem will take a joint effort from the government, doctors, businesses and the public.”

He also said that solutions like food fortification, awareness drives and better access to supplements could help fight this issue.



Who’s at Risk and Why?

The report says that children, teens, pregnant women and the elderly are the most at risk. Common reasons include:

• Poor sunlight exposure due to pollution and indoor lifestyles
• Limited intake of vitamin D-rich foods like fish, eggs, and fortified milk
• Cultural eating habits and dairy intolerance, only 8–14% of people consume the recommended amount of dairy
• A high vegetarian population (around 30%) and lack of plant-based vitamin D options
• Darker skin, which needs more sunlight to produce vitamin D
• Expensive tests and supplements, lab tests cost over Rs 1,500 and supplements Rs 48–130 for 10 tablets

What Needs to Be Done?
Dr Arpita Mukherjee from ICRIER said the report calls for policy changes and long-term solutions. “Filling policy gaps and supporting better research will help India meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals on health and nutrition by 2030,” she told TOI.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.