Vitamin D [1]
Why do we study the consumption of vitamin D supplements?
- Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the absorption of calcium from the diet. It plays a key role in the growth and maintenance of strong bones and teeth. In addition, vitamin D is important for proper muscle function and the immune system. The most important source of vitamin D is sunlight exposure, which triggers its synthesis in the skin. However, due to Belgium’s northern latitude, sunlight exposure is often insufficient, particularly in the winter months, limiting the body’s ability to produce adequate vitamin D. This increases the risk of deficiency, which can lead to conditions like osteomalacia and osteoporosis.
- Vitamin D can be obtained from dietary sources such as fatty fish like salmon, herring, and sardines, as well as cod liver oil, eggs and certain mushrooms. It can also be found in fortified products such as dairy products, breakfast cereals, etc. Nevertheless, the most important source of vitamin D is sunlight exposure, which triggers its synthesis in the skin. In Belgium sunlight exposure is often insufficient, particularly in the winter months, limiting the body’s ability to produce adequate vitamin D. This increases the risk of deficiency, which can lead to conditions like osteomalacia and osteoporosis.
- To address this, the Belgian Superior Health Council [2] recommends vitamin D supplementation: 10 µg/day (400 IU) for children, 15 µg/day (600 IU) for adults, and 20 µg/day (800 IU) for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as the elderly. These recommendations may vary depending on individual sun exposure, with lower doses advised for those with more sunlight exposure. Note: 1 µg of vitamin D equals 40 IU (International Units).
- Despite the benefits of supplementation, overconsumption can be harmful. Vitamin D supplements are widely available over the counter in Belgium, raising concerns about potential overuse. Therefore, it is essential to monitor supplement intake to ensure both sufficiency and safety.
How do we study it?
- Inadequate vitamin D intake from food or from food and supplements was assessed by comparing the habitual vitamin D intake of the population with the reference values [3] (defined as adequate intake (AI)) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): 15 µg/day for the entire population from 3 years onwards.
- The prevalence of excessive vitamin D intake from food or from food and supplements was estimated as the proportion of the population with habitual vitamin D intake above the safety reference values (defined as upper intake level (UL)) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): 50 µg/day (2000 IU) for children age 3 to 10 years and 100 µg/day (4000 IU) from 11 years onwards.
- Habitual intake of vitamin D was analysed using the SPADE® program. A detailed description on the methodology for deriving the habitual vitamin D intake, the type of the reference values used and the age-and-sex-specific values of these references can be found here [4].
KEY RESULTS
Mean intake of vitamin D in the population from food only is 5 µg/day and raises to 15 µg/day when food and supplements are taken into account
2% of the population is at risk for excessive vitamin D intake from food and supplements
The mean intake of vitamin D from food increased from 4 µg/day in 2014-2015 to 5 µg/day in 2022-2023
Meat, meat products and substitutes (20%), as well as dairy products and substitutes (20%), are the main contributors to vitamin D intake
Vitamin D containing supplements contribute 9% to the total vitamin D intake
Proportion of the population consuming a vitamin D-containing supplement
33% of the population in Belgium aged 3 years and older uses a vitamin D-containing supplement.
By sex
Mean intake of vitamin D (µg/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean intake of vitamin D in the population from food only is 5 µg/day and raises to 15 µg/day when food and supplements are taken into account.
- Men have a higher mean vitamin D intake from food (5 µg/day) compared to women (4 µg/day). However, the intake from both food and supplements is equal for both sexes, with a mean intake of 15 µg/day for both men and women.
Inadequate (A) and excessive (B) vitamin D intake in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
A. Inadequate vitamin D intake
- The results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin D intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate vitamin D intake cannot be ruled out. The same applies to both men and women, as their intake levels are the same as those of the overall population.
B. Excessive vitamin D intake
- There is no risk for excessive vitamin D intake from food only in the Belgian population.
- However, when the vitamin D intake from supplement is taken into account, 2% of the population is at risk for excessive vitamin D intake. The same applies to both men and women, as their risk levels are consistent with those of the overall population.
By age
Mean vitamin D intake (µg/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- Mean vitamin D intake from food only is similar in all age groups (5 µg/day).
- However, when considering vitamin D intake from supplements, a different pattern emerges. The intake values range from 11 µg/day in adolescents to 18 µg/day in older adults (65 years and above). Children aged 3-9 years have a vitamin D intake from food and supplements of 16 µg/day.
Inadequate (A) and excessive (B) vitamin D intake in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
A. Inadequate vitamin D intake
- The results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin D intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate vitamin D intake cannot be ruled out. This applies to all age groups, as their intake levels are similar to those of the overall population.
B. Excessive vitamin D intake
- There is no risk for excessive vitamin D intake from food only in any age group in the Belgian population.
- However, when the vitamin D intake from supplements is taken into account, the same risk is observed across all age groups, namely, around 2% of individuals are at risk for excessive vitamin D intake.
By region
Mean vitamin D intake (µg/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The mean vitamin D intake from food increased from 4 µg/day in 2014-2015 to 5 µg/day in 2022-2023.
- When supplements are taken into account, mean vitamin D intake becomes comparable across regions: 11 µg/day in Flanders and 12 µg/day in Wallonia.
Inadequate (A) and excessive (B) vitamin D intake in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium: 2022-2023
A. Inadequate vitamin D intake
- The results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin D intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate vitamin D intake cannot be ruled out.
By year
Mean vitamin D intake (µg/day) in the population aged 3 to 64 years, by year, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The mean vitamin D intake from food increased from 4 µg/day in 2014-2015 to 5 µg/day in 2022-2023.
- The mean vitamin D intake from food and supplements was 10 µg/day in 2014-2015 and 14 µg/day in 2022-2023.
Inadequate (A) and excessive (B) vitamin D intake in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
A. Inadequate vitamin D intake
- In both 2014-2015 and 2022-2023, the results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin D intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate vitamin D intake cannot be ruled out.
B. Excessive vitamin D intake
- The risk of excessive vitamin D intake remained unchanged between 2014-2015 and 2022-2023, staying at 2% for intake from food and supplements, with no risk observed from food alone.
Contribution of foods and supplements
Contribution of foods and supplements to vitamin D intake, in the population aged 3 years and older, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Meat, meat products and substitutes, as well as dairy products and substitutes, are the main contributors to vitamin D intake, each providing 20%. They are followed by fats and oils (13%), cakes and sweet biscuits (9%), eggs and egg products (9%), and dietary supplements (9%).
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Micronutrients: Vitamin D, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/micronutrients-vitamins/vitamin-d [1]