Nairobi, May 25 -- Urban living has changed the way we experience the sun. We spend long hours indoors, follow white-collar routines and commute in cars, all of which limit our direct exposure to sunlight. While much emphasis and discussion has focused on vitamin D deficiency in children, experts say that adults are at risk too, often without realising it.

"The problem is even worse in low-income urban settlements, where poor planning limits access to open spaces and sunlight, despite these being abundant in many African countries," explains Jackson Mudengeya, a public health advocate and nutritionist.

Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium and maintain strong bones. 'The vitamin is involved in several important bodily processes, in...