Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Effects on Military Force's Performance - A Review Study

With all the medical advances of the century, vitamin D deficiency is still epidemic in the world, and recent studies have demonstrated new epidemics of vitamin D deficiency all over the world. Many studies have addressed a disturbingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in many communities and sectors in Iran and all over the world. However, very limited studies have been conducted on military personnel.
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in military personnel in Iran is unclear, however, given that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in military personnel in other parts of the world, such as the US military, has reported more than 50%, the same prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is possible in Iranian military personnel. On the other hand, due to the negative effects of vitamin D deficiency on the performance of military personnel, such as physical and cognitive impairment, increased risk of musculoskeletal or bone damage, stress fractures, muscle weakness and central nervous system fatigue, adverse cardiovascular consequences, therefore, vitamin D deficiency monitoring in this group is necessary.
To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in military personnel, as well as its impact on operational performance of military personnel, can help the relevant health and medical organizations in planning and implementing more effective prevention programs for the health of military personnel. In the current review study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in military personnel in Iran and the world and its effects on the performance of military personnel is considered.