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Background: Low vitamin D intake and high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 50 nmol/L) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples highlight a need for public health strategies to improve vitamin D status. As few foods contain naturally occurring vitamin D, fortification strategies may be needed to improve vitamin D intake and status among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Objective: We aimed to model vitamin D food fortification scenarios among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Methods: We used nationally representative food consumption data (n=4,109) and vitamin D food composition data to model four food fortification scenarios. The modelling for Scenario 1 included foods and maximum vitamin D concentrations permitted for fortification in Australia: i) dairy products and alternatives, ii) butter/margarine/oil spreads, iii) formulated beverages, and iv) selected ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. The modelling for Scenarios 2a-c included some vitamin D concentrations higher than permitted in Australia; Scenario 2c included bread, which is not permitted for vitamin D fortification in Australia. Scenario 2a: i) dairy products and alternatives, ii) butter/margarine/oil spreads, iii) formulated beverages. Scenario 2b: as per Scenario 2a plus selected ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Scenario 2c: as per Scenario 2b plus bread. Results: Vitamin D fortification of a range of staple foods could potentially increase vitamin D intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by ~ 3-6 {\mu}g/day. Scenario 2c showed the highest potential median vitamin D intake increase to ~ 8 {\mu}g/day. Across all modelled scenarios, none of the participants had vitamin D intake above the Australian upper level of intake of 80 {\mu}g/day.

Background/Objective: Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration <50 nmol/L) is prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Alternative to sun exposure (the primary source of vitamin D), vitamin D can also be obtained from food (e.g., fish, eggs, and meat) and supplements. However, vitamin D intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is currently unknown. We aimed to provide the first quantification of vitamin D intake using nationally representative data from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Methods: We used food consumption data collected in the 2012-2013 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 4,109) and vitamin D food composition data to quantify mean absolute vitamin D intake by sex, age group, and remoteness of location. Differences in mean vitamin D intake between sexes and between remoteness of location were assessed using the 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: The mean (standard deviation (SD)) vitamin D intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was 2.9 (3.0) {\mu}g/day. Males had a statistically significantly higher mean (SD) [95% CI] vitamin D intake (3.2 (3.1) [3.0-3.4] {\mu}g/day) than females (2.6 (2.7) [2.4-2.7] {\mu}g/day). There were no statistically significant differences between mean (SD) [95% CI] vitamin D intake in non-remote (2.9 (2.2) [2.7-3.1] {\mu}g/day) and remote areas (2.8 (4.8) [2.6-3.0] {\mu}g/day). Conclusions: Vitamin D intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is low. Food-based public health strategies could be developed to promote higher vitamin D intake among this population.