- New research suggests that sunshine-induced vitamin D helps prevent obesity in children. This column uses nearly two decades of data from compulsory health screenings for children in Germany – combined with information on daily sun at the district level – and concludes that exposure to 100 hours more sunshine in the first six months of life reduces the risk of severe obesity at age six by 6%. These findings have important public health implications, as vitamin D intake can be increased at low cost through dietary supplements for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.