Explained: Why vitamin D deficiency is very high in Kashmir? Study sheds light

As per the study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranged from 58% in the farmers’ group to 93% in the employee group.

“Further, vitamin D deficient subjects had a significantly lower mean weekly exposure to sunlight,” read the study.

Dr. Iqbal Saleem, Professor of Surgery, Government Medical College, Srinagar, told The Kashmir Monitor that despite the high amount of sunlight available in the valley, the patients report mild to moderate deficiency of vitamin D.

“This is because from October to March, the available sunlight which we have in our valley is less as compared to what is required,” he said.