Having recently moved to Scotland after 10 years in Central London, I have noticed a few differences. I can't get an organic skinny soya free trade spring water frappucino on the way to the station anymore! I can feel my arteries clogging!

Nothing to do with latitude, it is diet and lifestyle.

Ian, edinburgh, Scotland

Actually in Norway we have the same problems linked to low levels of vit. D caused by the sun being to low on the horizon to induce production of vit. d in the skin many moths each winter. And the further north one goes, the more severe the problem. also the darker the skin one has.

ylva, oslo, norway

This "story" isn't news to those of us who actually live here, and how predictable that certain English posters seize the opportunity for racist stereotyping.
This study proves that those who scoffed about "passive smoking" and "global warming" causing all our problems were right to do so.

GR Wilkie, Stirling UK,

Do sunbeds work give out vitamin D? If so, then a huge proportion of those with Glasgow tans should be fine.

Lindsay, Cheltenham, England

As Vitamin D is found in oily fish, Scots could simply start eating what is in the sea around them.

Dectora, London, UK

people suffering from chronic illness in fact have a HIGH level of vitamin D in their body. There are more than one type of vitamin D, an inactive precursor called 25D, and an active form called 1,25d. Those who are ill have low 25D but high 1,25d. The Precursor is the only one measured usually!

Scott , Perthshire ,

I'm Scottish and well aware of the drinking, smoking, drug taking, and eating all the wrong food culture ( a kebab meat, cheese and chips calzone pizza for god sake is on sale in my local chippie). It ain't the weather that causes our problems!
ps Pete you have no solution to a real social problem

Gordon Callan, Shanghai, China

Strange then that Iceland is farther north and has one of the best health records .....

RichardO, Reading, UK

So do scandinavians and eskimo suffer the same? Chips, fried mars bars smoking and massive drinking don't affect it? Does the negativity associated with the Scottish Whinge culture not affect it?

Neil Murphy, cromer,

So Hannah, if you travel on the same lattitude lines across to Scandinavia from Scotland, do you find the same ill health in the Swedes Danes, or Norweigians? I think not!

Pete, St Albans, England

Deep fried mars bars speak volumes. What other Country could dream of this?

Roger, Surrey.,

I suffered years with crippling pains causing sleepless nights and affecting my mobility. Within 2 weeks of taking Vitamin D there was a difference and after 2 months was pain free. On holiday I stopped taking, applied sun cream - pain returned. On restarting it has changed my life – it is wonder drug which has rendered me pain free and given me back my mobility.

Cheryl, Moray, Scotland

Pete
How about removing the stereotypes? Yes, there is a binge drinking culture in Scotland, & a proportion of the S/W has a fatty, unbalanced diet. But medical studies finding other potential causes for a high mortality rate are still of interest - esp in correspondence with lowering levels of sun

Hannah, Glasgow, Scotland

I expect the whole UK will be ill and depressed after this summer. Perhaps the government should issue 'sun light' lamps to every household. It would save £millions in anti-depressants and poor health. My family in the UK has one and its great. Lucky me, I moved to France and escaped the grey!

Jo Sturges, Tourtoirac, France

How about taking less alcohol, less crap food, & removing those chips on their shoulders about England!

Pete, St Albans, England