article_snippet.sent: Professor Davies is said to be concerned at the number of children suffering from the condition, which is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D.
article_snippet.sent: The move is being supported by one of Britain's leading experts on vitamin D deficiency at University College Hospital London Alastair Sutcliffe, who has spoken about an 'epidemic' of cases due to a lack of sun exposure and overuse of sunscreen.
article_snippet.sent: An estimated 40 per cent of children are estimated to have vitamin D levels below the recommended amount.
article_snippet.sent: It was common in Victorian times because of lack of access to sunlight – which the body needs to make vitamin D – and poor diets.