[harichinnan]

I'm from South India and I know two people in my family with severe Vitamin D deficiency. Sunlight-> Vitamin D won't happen for most people with a white collar job even if you are near equator. Hospitals in India rarely offer that test as it's expensive. We insisted on getting one after severe back pain and other symptoms.

[valarauko]

I've seen studies that show quite low levels of Vitamin D in even healthy rural south Indian farm workers. The average was ~ 20 ng/mL. The study authors speculate that the high levels of phytates in the typical Indian diet might be to blame.