Nutrition & Food Science

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Vitamin D deficiency

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    Knowledge and attitudes about vitamin D and sunlight exposure in premenopausal women living in Jeddah, and their relationship with serum vitamin D levels
    (Springer Nature, 2021-08-28) Zareef, Tahani A.; Jackson, Robert T.
    Saudi women are at risk of vitamin D deficiency because they are fully covered by traditional clothing and because of their indoor lifestyle. The latest national study reported that vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) affects 72% of young Saudi women. Because little information is available regarding knowledge on vitamin D, attitudes toward sun exposure, and the vitamin D status of premenopausal women in Jeddah, more research is necessary in order to develop effective intervention programs. The purpose of this study is to explore how the relationship between knowledge of vitamin D and attitudes about sun exposure affect the serum 25(OH)D levels in premenopausal Saudi women. This cross-sectional study included 257 women aged 20–50 years attending the primary care clinic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed questionnaires about socio-demographics, dietary vitamin D intake, attitudes toward sun exposure, and were tested on their knowledge of vitamin D. Serum 25(OH)D was evaluated using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Although 99% of participants had heard of vitamin D and 91% knew that sunlight exposure is a primary source of vitamin D, they also expressed the feeling of having insufficient knowledge regarding vitamin D sources. Furthermore, the majority of participants had negative attitudes toward sun exposure. High fish consumption was associated with a higher level of knowledge regarding vitamin D. The binary logistic regression indicated that low levels of knowledge about vitamin D were associated with low education levels (odds ratio = 0.397, 95% CI = [0.206, 0.765], p = 0.019) and with being married (odds ratio = 0.522, 95% CI = [0.281, 0.971], p = 0.04). In addition, spending time outside in the sun was significantly associated with increased serum 25(OH)D levels (p = 0.006), and the wearing of colored abaya was significantly associated with increased serum 25(OH)D levels (p = 0.008). Suboptimal vitamin D status and insufficient knowledge of vitamin D intake sources are common in premenopausal women in Jeddah. Based on this data, health professionals could provide medical intervention to the most vulnerable female patients, as well as offer clear guidelines and information to the general public.
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    VITAMIN D STATUS IN RELATION TO DIETARY INTAKE, SUN EXPOSURE OBESITY, LIFESTYLE FACTORS AND BONE HEALTH AMONG SAUDI PREMENPOUSAL WOMEN LIVING IN JEDDAH CITY
    (2016) Zareef, Tahani; Jackson, Robert T; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Saudi women are at risk of vitamin D deficiency and low bone mass because traditional clothing and time spent indoors limit sun exposure. However, no information about other contributing individual, demographic, and cultural risk factors which may determine women’s vitamin D status is available. Moreover, little is known about vitamin D intake, and the association between vitamin D and calcium intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal Saudi women. The objectives of the study were to identify predictors strongly associated with vitamin D deficiency, identify dietary vitamin D sources, examine potential determinants of vitamin D intake, examine the association of vitamin D and calcium intake with BMD, and explore how the relationship between knowledge of vitamin D and attitudes about sun exposure are related to serum vitamin D levels. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 257 women 20–50 years of age in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between December 2014 and April 2015. Data were obtained through pre-tested questionnaires. Serum 25(OH) D and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured. BMD was measured using double-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 102 participants. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 77.6% (25(OH) D < 50 nmol/L). Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of elevated PTH levels. In the multiple regression analysis, serum 25(OH) D was not associated with body mass index or waist circumference. Predictors of vitamin D deficiency were low dietary and supplement vitamin D intake and younger age, explaining 41% of the variation in 25(OH) D serum concentrations (p < 0.001). Approximately 65% of the participants had vitamin D intakes below the U.S. Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for vitamin D, and 61% fell below the EAR for calcium. Dairy products and supplements contributed the most to vitamin D intake. Older age was an independent determinant of sufficient vitamin D intake (p < 0.001). The prevalence of osteopenia was 33% in the lumbar spine and 30% in the femur neck. Education was a significant predictor of vitamin D knowledge (p < 0.001). Public health interventions offering early screenings of vitamin D status and improved nutrition in young Saudi women are recommended.