Struggling With Fatigue? A Silent Epidemic Sweeping Across Sunny India

In a country bathed in sunlight for much of the year, it seems paradoxical that Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a widespread health concern. Yet, recent studies and medical reports suggest that this "sunshine vitamin" shortfall is reaching alarming levels across India, affecting people of all ages, from urban professionals to rural children. Despite the nation’s geographic advantage, experts warn that modern lifestyles, environmental factors, and dietary habits are driving a silent epidemic that could have long-lasting consequences.

Take the case of Sahana, a 27-year-old software engineer in Chennai. For months, she struggled with persistent fatigue, muscle aches, and a lingering sense of gloom. "I thought it was just stress from work," she says, sitting in her dimly lit apartment. "I barely step outside during the day - my office is indoors, and I’m home before sunset." When a routine health checkup revealed her Vitamin D levels were critically low - below 15 ng/mL - she was shocked. "How could this happen in a place like India, where the sun is everywhere?"

Sahana’s story is far from unique. A report by Tata 1mg Labs, based on tests of over 2.2 lakh people across 27 Indian cities, found that nearly 76 per cent of the population suffers from Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. The data showed young adults under 25 as the most affected group, with 84 per cent exhibiting low levels, followed closely by those aged 25–40 at 81 per cent. Cities such as Vadodara (89 per cent) and Surat (88) topped the list, while even sun-drenched Delhi-NCR reported a 72 per cent incidence. Experts estimate that across India, prevalence ranges from 70 per cent  to nearly 100 per cent in some communities, depending on the region and population studied.

So why is this happening in a land of abundant sunshine? The answer lies in a combination of modern habits and biological factors. Dr. Rajeev Sharma, a medical expert with Tata 1mg, points to shifting lifestyles as a primary culprit. "Urbanisation has confined people indoors - offices, homes, and malls dominate daily routines. Add to that the use of sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid tanning, and you’ve drastically reduced sun exposure," he explains. For many, the only time outdoors is early morning or late evening, when UVB rays, crucial for Vitamin D synthesis, are too weak to make a difference.

India’s diverse skin tones also play a role. With higher melanin levels common among its population, Indians require longer sun exposure to produce adequate Vitamin D compared to lighter-skinned individuals. "Darker skin acts as a natural sunscreen," says Dr. Anita Patil, an endocrinologist in Mumbai. "What might take 15 minutes for a fair-skinned person could take 30–40 minutes for someone with darker skin, and most people aren’t getting even that."

Dietary habits further compound the issue. Unlike in Western countries where dairy and cereals are often fortified with Vitamin D, such practices are rare in India. Traditional diets, while rich in grains and vegetables, lack natural sources such as fatty fish, egg yolks, or fortified milk, which are not staples for many, especially vegetarians. "We’re seeing this even in rural areas now," notes Dr. Patil. "While rural men might still get some sun from fieldwork, women and children often stay covered or indoors, and their diets don’t fill the gap."

The health implications are stark. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, immune function, and even mental well-being. Deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis, rickets in children, and increased risks of diabetes, depression, and cardiovascular diseases. In a recent case in Chennai, 35-year-old Sundaraman, a bank manager, was diagnosed with osteomalacia - softening of the bones - after years of unexplained pain. "I never thought something like this could happen to me," he says. "I started supplements, but it’s been a wake-up call."

Children are not spared either. A post on X earlier this week highlighted a startling statistic: 30 per cent of Indian newborns lack sufficient Vitamin D, with deficiencies in related nutrients such as B-12 rising by age five. Doctors warn that this could impair growth, focus, and energy levels, setting the stage for lifelong health challenges.

The response to this crisis is gaining momentum, but challenges remain. Public health campaigns, like the Food Safety and Security Authority of India’s Project Dhoop, encourage schools to shift morning assemblies to noon for optimal sun exposure. Doctors are increasingly prescribing supplements, though access and awareness vary widely. "Testing costs around Rs 1,500, which isn’t affordable for everyone," admits Dr. Sharma. "Nationwide fortification of foods including milk or flour could be a game-changer, but it’s not widespread yet."

For now, individuals like Sahana are taking small steps. She’s started morning walks and added fortified milk to her diet. "I feel better already," she says with a smile. But as India grapples with this paradox of deficiency amid sunshine, experts stress the need for collective action, more sunlight, better nutrition, and a rethink of how a modernising nation stays healthy.