LAUSR

Osteoporosis continues to be under‐recognized and under‐treated in most parts of India. At present, approximately 10% of the Indian population (>100 million) is aged above 50 years[1] and with increasing longevity, osteoporosis is expected to pose a major burden in this aging population. Fragility fractures that might ensue as a result of untreated osteoporosis will result in high costs to the society. Risk factors such as vitamin D deficiency, poor dietary calcium intake, and attainment of suboptimal peak bone mass contribute to adverse skeletal health in our country.[2,3] Although a tropical country, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in India is a significant health concern. As far as the Indian skin tone is concerned, the minimum duration of sun exposure required for optimal vitamin D photobiosynthesis is more than 45 min to bare face, arms, and legs to the solar UV rays (wavelength 290–310 nm). Most Indians do not get adequately exposed to sunlight to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D endogenously. Besides, social and religious norms dictate that most parts of an individual’s body, irrespective of gender be covered. Thus, endogenous production of adequate vitamin D from regular and sustained sunlight exposure may not be a feasible solution for our country.[4]