This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tyne/8472469.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Vitamin should be 'added to food' Vitamin should be 'added to food'
(about 4 hours later)
Vitamin D should be added to milk and other food products to halt a rise in cases of rickets in children, say experts at Newcastle University.Vitamin D should be added to milk and other food products to halt a rise in cases of rickets in children, say experts at Newcastle University.
The vitamin, produced when skin is exposed to sunlight, is also found in a small number of foods, and deficiency can cause bone deformation.The vitamin, produced when skin is exposed to sunlight, is also found in a small number of foods, and deficiency can cause bone deformation.
One reason for an increase in cases is thought to be the popularity of indoor activities, such as computer gaming.One reason for an increase in cases is thought to be the popularity of indoor activities, such as computer gaming.
Professor Simon Pearce said a change in public health policy was needed.Professor Simon Pearce said a change in public health policy was needed.
A lack of the vitamin within the traditional UK diet is also thought to be a factor - it can be found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring.A lack of the vitamin within the traditional UK diet is also thought to be a factor - it can be found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, Professor Pearce and colleague Dr Tim Cheetham said Vitamin D deficiency had become "disturbingly common" in the UK in recent years.Writing in the British Medical Journal, Professor Pearce and colleague Dr Tim Cheetham said Vitamin D deficiency had become "disturbingly common" in the UK in recent years.
'Entirely preventable''Entirely preventable'
Dr Cheetham said: "I am dismayed by the increasing numbers of children we are treating with this entirely preventable condition.Dr Cheetham said: "I am dismayed by the increasing numbers of children we are treating with this entirely preventable condition.
"Fifty years ago, many children would have been given regular doses of cod liver oil, but this practice has all but died out.""Fifty years ago, many children would have been given regular doses of cod liver oil, but this practice has all but died out."
Half of all adults in the UK have a deficiency in the winter and spring, with one in six having severe deficiency.Half of all adults in the UK have a deficiency in the winter and spring, with one in six having severe deficiency.
The problem is worse in northern regions and could be part of the reason for the health gap between the north and south, according to the university figures.The problem is worse in northern regions and could be part of the reason for the health gap between the north and south, according to the university figures.
Professor Pearce said health professionals have been slow to deal with the problem.Professor Pearce said health professionals have been slow to deal with the problem.
He added: "We believe that a more robust approach to statutory food supplementation with vitamin D, for example in milk, is needed in the UK, as this measure has already been introduced successfully in many other countries in similar parts of the world."He added: "We believe that a more robust approach to statutory food supplementation with vitamin D, for example in milk, is needed in the UK, as this measure has already been introduced successfully in many other countries in similar parts of the world."
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Vitamin D supplements are recommended for some people at risk of vitamin D deficiency and people at risk of not getting enough exposure to sunlight.
"The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition has advised that research into the link with chronic disease is inconclusive and further work is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn."