Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations are lower in Pacific people compared to
Caucasians living in New Zealand. However, there are no data on the 25OHD concentrations of Pacific people
living in the Pacific Islands. Aim: To assess the vitamin D status of indigenous and Indian Fijian women living
in Fiji by measuring 25OHD concentrations. Methods: 25OHD concentrations in a national sample of 511 Fijian
women (15-44 y). Results: The mean 25OHD concentration of Fijian women was 76 nmol/L (95% CI: 73, 78).
25OHD was lower in Fijian Indian [70 (66, 74) nmol/L; n=205] women compared to indigenous Fijians [80 (76,
84) nmol/L; n=306] (p<0.0001). The mean 25OHD was higher in rural [77 (74, 80) nmol/L; n=392] than urban
[70 (65, 76) nmol/L; n=119] women (p<0.0001). Body mass index (BMI) and age were not predictors of 25OHD
concentrations. Of Fijian females, 3%, 11%, and 56% had 25OHD concentrations indicative of 25OHD insufficiency
using cut-offs of =37.5, =50 and =80 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Mean 25OHD in Fijian women
was generally adequate and exceed concentrations reported in Pacific females living in New Zealand.