Association of Physical Activity and Body Fatness with Vitamin D Deficiency in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association between physical activity and body fatness with serum vitamin D level in older adults. METHODS: A total of 233 older adults (39 men and 194 women) aged older than 65 years were voluntarily recruited from a local community. Physical activity was monitored using a uniaxial accelerometer. Body fatness was measured using a standardized protocol. Subjects were classified as sufficient (>30 ng/mL), insufficient (20-29 ng/mL), or deficient (<20 ng/mL) based on serum vitamin D level. Pearson correlation analyses were used to calculate bivariate correlations between variables. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio of serum vitamin D inadequacy. RESULTS: There were linear increases in physical activity parameters including daily steps (P<0.001), low-intensity physical activity (P<0.001), moderate-intensity physical activity (P<0.001), and high-intensity physical activity (P<0.001) and linear decreases in body fatness parameters such as body mass index (P=0.039) and waist circumference (P=0.020) across incremental vitamin D levels. Vitamin D level was positively associated with daily steps (P<0.001), low-intensity physical activity (P<0.001), moderate-intensity physical activity (P<0.001), and high-intensity physical activity (P<0.001) and negatively associated with body mass index (P=0.001), percentage body fat (P=0.005), and waist circumference (P=0.003). Compared to the active group (reference), the inactive group (P=0.001) had a significantly higher odd ratio for serum vitamin D deficiency even after adjusting for age and sex (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that physical activity and vitamin D supplementation should be promoted for healthy aging.

Life style Factors Influencing BMI of Females In Ha’il Region.

Background: Published health promoting or health risk behaviors data in a young population is sparse for Saudi Arabia. Identifying health risk factors early in life and promoting primary prevention interventions among the youth is of utmost importance to move in a healthier direction Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the socio-economic factors influencing BMI in female students in University of Hail. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was carried out to evaluate dietary behaviors in a random sample of 200 adolescent students, from UOH female campus during the winter semester. Self administered questionnaire for dietary behaviors was used for survey by following anonymity and privacy. Results: This study was conducted to measure BMI and determine the socioeconomic factors affecting the relative weight of young adult females living in the city of Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. A total of 200 female subjects (mean ± SD: age: 19.76 ± 1.98 years and BMI: 23.47 ± 5.58 kg/m2) participated in the present survey. 28.5 % percent of study sample were either overweight or obese. Age wise distribution indicates overweight and obesity significantly increases with age. Breakfast is frequently skipped in overweight and obese subjects while frequency of snacking less among them. Findings of the current study also suggest habit of frequent snacking behavior inverse association with BMI. The current study findings have indicated no clear impact of physical activity on obesity prevalence.