MAHENDRAGARH, HARYANA – A pioneering study in Haryana has shown significant success in combating widespread Vitamin D deficiency among adolescent girls by using specially fortified laddoos. Researchers at the Central University of Haryana (CUH) found that after three months of daily consumption, 47% of girls who were initially deficient in Vitamin D elevated their levels to at least insufficient, with 5% reaching sufficient levels. This innovative approach offers a culturally relevant and effective method to address a critical public health issue affecting millions in India. ^[1][2]### Addressing a Silent Deficiency Vitamin D deficiency remains a major health problem across India, despite abundant sunlight. A 2023 study by CUH researchers revealed that nearly 88% of adolescent girls in government schools across Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, and Kurukshetra districts of Haryana suffered from either deficient or insufficient Vitamin D levels. Specifically, 49.95% were deficient, and 37.85% had insufficient levels. N^[1]ationally, a comprehensive study from Metropolis Healthcare Limited found that 46.5% of Indians were Vitamin D deficient, with another 26% having insufficient levels, based on data from 2019 to January 2025. T^[3]eenagers aged 13 to 18 years show the highest deficiency rate at 66.9%. ^[3]Vitamin D is vital for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and muscles by regulating calcium and phosphorus in the body. A^[4][5] lack of this essential vitamin can lead to serious health problems, including bone deformities like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. R^[4][5]esearchers also link Vitamin D deficiency to autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular issues, certain cancers, and tuberculosis. ^[6][7][8]### The Sweet Solution: Fortified Laddoos The CUH research team, funded by the Haryana State Council for Science, Innovation, and Technology, developed a novel strategy to tackle this nutritional gap. Instead of relying on traditional supplements, they created Vitamin D-enriched laddoos using biofortified button mushrooms. A^[1][2]n impact assessment study ran from March to May 2025 in a government school in Mahendragarh district. During this period, selected adolescent girls received two fortified laddoos every day for three months. ^[1]Dr. Anita Kumari, project investigator from the Department of Nutrition Biology at CUH, highlighted the significance of the findings. "Regular inclusion of Vitamin D-enriched laddoos developed from biofortified button mushrooms has a significant impact to act as functional foods," she stated. "They curb cases of hypovitaminosis D among selected subjects." T^[1]he study carefully monitored Vitamin D levels monthly in both the experimental group receiving laddoos and a control group. The control group showed no change in Vitamin D levels over 90 days. ^[1]After 90 days, the results were encouraging. Among the girls who started with Vitamin D deficiency, 47% improved to insufficient levels, and an additional 5% reached sufficient levels. T^[1]he strength of this intervention lies in its cultural familiarity. Laddoos are a cherished Indian sweet and are seen as food, not medicine. This helps ensure better compliance and integrates nutrition naturally into daily routines, avoiding any stigma associated with supplements. ^[2]### Broader Implications for Public Health The success of the Haryana experiment offers valuable lessons for public health policy, demonstrating that effective solutions do not always need to be expensive or disruptive. They can be locally rooted, scientifically sound, and thoughtfully delivered. T^[2]he technology for these Vitamin D-enriched products is now ready for transfer, paving the way for potential commercialization and broader societal benefit. ^[1]Food fortification is a widely recognized and cost-effective strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies on a large scale. I^[9][10][11]nternational organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF advocate for fortifying foods with multiple micronutrients. I^[11]n India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) currently permits the voluntary fortification of only milk and edible oil with Vitamin D, and only plant-based sources are allowed. ^[12][11]However, experts argue for expanding these efforts. An April 2025 report from the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) called for stronger fortification, including staple foods like wheat and rice, and allowing animal-origin Vitamin D sources. I^[12]ndia’s vast public distribution systems, such as the Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and PM POSHAN, serve over 800 million people. These platforms could be effectively used to distribute Vitamin D-fortified staples, reaching a wider population. Th^[13]e initiative in Haryana highlights a promising path forward in addressing the widespread Vitamin D deficiency in India. By integrating nutritional interventions into familiar dietary practices, such programs can significantly improve public health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups like adolescent girls. This simple, sweet solution could lead to stronger bones and better overall health for many.

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