People living in the South might be deficient in vitamin D by the end of the winter if they have not had enough sun exposure, a joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Cancer Society says.
The statement released yesterday attempts to clarify the issue of balancing sun safety with the importance of vitamin D.
The statement identified four groups at risk of suffering from insufficient vitamin D, which is considered essential for bone health. These were people with very dark skin; those who avoid the sun because of a higher skin cancer risk; those with limited mobility; and those living south of Nelson-Marlborough.
Cancer Society health promotion manager Dr Jan Pearson said the statement sought to cut through the "noise" around the issue, on which there was contradictory advice.
The key message was that people should not worry about being exposed to the sun in winter, when ultraviolet radiation (UVR) was low.
It was essential to heed stringent sun protection measures in summer, because of New Zealand's high UVR levels.
In the South, this meant people should "go for it" in gaining sun exposure between May and August, Dr Pearson said.
Only 5% of New Zealand adults were vitamin D deficient, according to a Ministry of Health report.
However, the report, based on the 2008-09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey, found 27% of adults had less than the recommended level of the vitamin.
