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. 2017 Dec;12(1):28.
doi: 10.1007/s11657-017-0322-7. Epub 2017 Mar 10.

Seasonal variation in Internet searches for vitamin D

Rebecca J Moon  1   2 , Elizabeth M Curtis  1 , Justin H Davies  2 , Cyrus Cooper  1   3   4 , Nicholas C Harvey  5   6
Affiliations

Seasonal variation in Internet searches for vitamin D

Rebecca J Moon et al. Arch Osteoporos. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Internet search rates for "vitamin D" were explored using Google Trends. Search rates increased from 2004 until 2010 and thereafter displayed a seasonal pattern peaking in late winter. This knowledge could help guide the timing of public health interventions aimed at managing vitamin D deficiency.

Purpose: The Internet is an important source of health information. Analysis of Internet search activity rates can provide information on disease epidemiology, health related behaviors and public interest. We explored Internet search rates for vitamin D to determine whether this reflects the increasing scientific interest in this topic.

Methods: Google Trends is a publically available tool that provides data on Internet searches using Google. Search activity for the term "vitamin D" from 1st January 2004 until 31st October 2016 was obtained. Comparison was made to other bone and nutrition related terms.

Results: Worldwide, searches for "vitamin D" increased from 2004 until 2010 and thereafter a statistically significant (p < 0.001) seasonal pattern with a peak in February and nadir in August was observed. This seasonal pattern was evident for searches originating from both the USA (peak in February) and Australia (peak in August); p < 0.001 for both. Searches for the terms "osteoporosis", "rickets", "back pain" or "folic acid" did not display the increase observed for vitamin D or evidence of seasonal variation.

Conclusion: Public interest in vitamin D, as assessed by Internet search activity, did increase from 2004 to 2010, likely reflecting the growing scientific interest, but now displays a seasonal pattern with peak interest during late winter. This information could be used to guide public health approaches to managing vitamin D deficiency.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Google Trends; Internet; Vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Google search activity for the term “vitamin D”. The dotted line represents the seasonal model generated from these data for January 2010 to October 2016
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Google search activity for “vitamin D” for searches originating from the USA (solid line) and Australia (dotted line)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Google search activity for “vitamin D” in Norway and Sweden compared with searches for “vitamina D” in Spain and Italy. All search counts are relative to the month in which the highest number of searches was made in Norway
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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