🍲 Most Americans Don’t Get Enough Calcium or Vitamin D Through Their Diet
What We’re Showing:
This infographic lists America's most common nutrient deficiencies, the share of the population not meeting their requirements through their diet, and the sources of food these nutrients naturally occur in.
Data is sourced from the Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University.
Key Takeaways
Most Americans do not get enough vitamin D, vitamin A, or calcium, from their diet, studies have found.
Vitamin D is particularly difficult to meet through diet alone, as the primary source is sunlight.
Experts recommend at least fifteen minutes in the sun per day, though people with darker skin tones may need more.
Dataset
| Nutrient | % of Americans below avg dietary requirements | Deficiency Results In | Naturally Found In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 96% | Bone weakness, low immunity | Mushrooms, beef, fish, egg yolk |
| Vitamin A | 51% | Vision loss, blindness | Green leafy vegetables, orange & yellow vegetables |
| Calcium | 50% | Bone weakness, cramps | Dairy, green leafy vegetables |
| Vitamin C | 43% | Scurvy, fatigue | Citrus fruits, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes |
| Vitamin B6 | 15% | Seizures, numbness | Fish, organ meats, potatoes, non-citrus fruit |
| Iron | 8% | Fatigue, lethargy | Red meat, poultry, beans |
| Vitamin B12 | 4% | Fatigue, shortness of breath | Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy |
Data sources
Data accessed October 8th, 2024. For U.S. Adults aged 19+ years. Estimated average requirement (EAR) is a level of intake that meets the needs of half the healthy people in a specific age and gender group.
