Name a condition that can arise from a deficiency in vitamin D.

A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, which are both conditions characterized by the weakening of bones. In children, rickets manifests as bowed legs, stunted growth, and skeletal deformities due to the failure of bone mineralization. In adults, osteomalacia results in soft bones, which can cause pain and increase the risk of fractures. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium and phosphate metabolism, both essential for maintaining bone health. Thus, when there is insufficient vitamin D, the bones do not properly mineralize, leading to these distinct conditions reflecting the importance of this vitamin in overall skeletal health.