25-hydroxy-vitamin D, diet and sunlight exposure in patients admitted to a geriatric unit.

Dietary intake, sunlight exposure and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were estimated in 62 patients admitted to a geriatric assessment unit. There was a significant correlation between vitamin D intake and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels but none between sunlight exposure and these. This suggests that in old age dietary deficiency may be a more important cause of metabolic bone disease than limited sunlight exposure.