impact of dietary intake and sun exposure on vitamin D deficiency among couples

ABSTRACT

The main sources of vitamin D are sun exposure and diet. There is a gap in our knowledge about the contribution of these factors to vitamin D level among couples in Bahrain. To determine vitamin D dietary intake and sun exposure and their impact on vitamin D level. Cross-sectional study. Maternity hospitals. Data were collected using an adapted pre-validated food frequency questionnaire. It was adjusted to reflect the local food items. Vitamin D intake below 600 IU was considered low. The level was assayed as 25[OH]D using chemiluminescence method. SPSS-20 was used for data analysis. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Three hundred and twenty five couples were included in the study. The mean dietary intake of vitamin D was low, but not significantly different between men and women. Vitamin D level was <50 nmol/L in 209 [64.3%] men and 292 [89.8%] women. The mean 25[OH]D level in males [46.06 +/- 12.97 nmol/L] was significantly higher than females [33.12 +/- 13.48 nmol/L]. There was a significant association between dietary intake and 25[OH]D levels in both men and women. Sun exposure was also found to be significantly associated with 25[OH]D level in males but not in females which is attributed to the use of veil. Low vitamin D intake and inadequate sun exposure lead to hypovitaminosis D. There is a need to increase awareness and mandate the fortification of milk, dairy products and to supplement veiled women and those at risk of deficiency with vitamin D