Why are people of Asian, African Caribbean or Middle Eastern descent more likely to get osteomalacia?
Osteomalacia is usually caused by a lack of vitamin D. People of Asian, African Caribbean or Middle Eastern origin are more at risk of developing the condition mainly because of the limited amount of vitamin D their bodies are able to make in the UK’s less sunny climate. Diet is also a factor, although much less so than sun exposure. The darker your skin, the more sunlight you need to get enough vitamin D – a lot more than people with light skin. The sun in the UK is not strong enough to give you the amount of vitamin D you need. This is especially so during the winter months when the sun is much weaker. People who have immigrated to the UK from warmer climates are at a much higher risk of developing osteomalacia than people who are native to the UK. Also, women from some cultures completely cover themselves up for religious reasons, for example by wearing a burka. This prevents any sunlight from getting to their skin, putting them at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Another cause of oste
