This thesis presents the current worldwide status of vitamin D, which depends on several factors. These include the amount of available ultraviolet B light and actual exposure, skin pigmentation, use of sunscreens and clothing, diet, use of dietary supplements and medications. All of these have been taken into account in recent studies which suggest that as many as 40 % of Europeans do not have enough vitamin D in their bodies, and 13 % of them are critically deficient. Despite the widespread prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, its importance and the importance of supplementation are still not uniform worldwide. This is probably due to several different factors, ranging from inadequate choice of research methodology, to the design and selection of laboratory methods for determining vitamin D status and the selection of subjects, including those who otherwise showed no signs of vitamin D deficiency. Nevertheless, it is known that the status of the vitamin in our bodies is related to both chronic diseases and acute conditions. Particularly at risk are children with low birth weight, pregnant women, the elderly and migrants, especially those moving to northern places. Based on the obtained data, it can be estimated that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is present in different geographical regions. However, in some areas there is still insufficient data on the vitamin D status of specific groups. The future therefore brings a greater need for resources dedicated to research on vitamin D supplementation, with a focus on critical groups.
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