A risk factor doesn't indicate fault. It indicates a characteristic. Just as
living in certain parts of the world that get little or too much sun is a
factor, not a fault. In the AAP article I had mentioned earlier (which I now
have a copy), the authors mention that 9 cases of rickets were reported in
Texas, a region with plenty of sun, and all the children were of dark skin.
Therefore, I see nothing wrong with stating dark skin as a risk factor.

Renata

On Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 8:34 AM, Morgan Gallagher <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Dark skin is not a risk factor in vitamin D deficiency.
>
> The strength of sun, in relation to the skin colour, is the key factor to
> look for.
>
> People with dark skin, who move to areas of weaker sun than there is skin
> is perfectly adapted to, may be at risk.  Just as people with fair skin, who
> move to strong sun areas, may be at higher risk of burning and skin cancer.
>  The issue is the sun.   There is nothing 'wrong' with dark skin.
>
> Morgan Gallagher
>
> Pat Young wrote:
>
>> Risk factors for Vit D deficiency are: dark skin; consistent coverage of
>> skin with clothing or sunscreen; areas of world where there is little sun
>> for parts of the year; don't go outdoors; heavy air pollution, which blocks
>> sunlight; mom is vit D deficient (for any of the above reasons.)
>>
>
>            ***********************************************
>
> Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
> To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
> Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
> COMMANDS:
> 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set
> lactnet nomail
> 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
> 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
> 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
>
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1724 - Release Date: 10/14/2008
> 2:02 AM
>
>             ***********************************************
>
> Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
> To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
> Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
> COMMANDS:
> 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set
> lactnet nomail
> 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
> 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
> 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
>
>


-- 
Renata Mangrum, MPH, RD.
http://nurturingnotes.blogspot.com
http://infantfeedinghistory.blogspot.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/renatamangrum

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome