Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Dermato-Endocrinology
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Abstract
This study offers evidence that vitamin D deficiency could be a major public health burden among young Emirati adults, mostly because of sun deprivation in a sun-blessed country. This study included a random sample of 138 females and 70 males tested for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status. To further evaluate the predictors of vitamin D status in this population, the study examined diet, obesity and sun exposure. In summer, the mean serum 25(OH)D concentration for females was 20.9 ± 14.9 nmol/L, whereas that for males was 27.3 ± 15.7 nmol/L. Females scored significantly higher than males on the sun avoidance inventory (SAI), indicating that females avoid sun exposure to a greater extent than males, possibly explaining the lower vitamin D status. A significant negative correlation also existed between SAI and vitamin D status (Pearson's r = -0.33; p < 0.01), but no significant association was evident between vitamin D status and body mass index (Pearson's r = 0.03; p = 0.33) or low dietary intake of vitamin D-fortified foods (Pearson's r = 0.08; p = 0.13). The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration for females tested in winter was 31.3 ± 12.3 nmol/L while in the summer, it was 20.9 ± 14.9 nmol/L. This difference was statistically significant, suggesting that seasonal variation plays an important role in vitamin D status in the United Arab Emirates. Fortification of foods and drinks with vitamin D, supplementation and sensible sun exposure are important steps toward minimizing vitamin D deficiency. © 2011 Landes Bioscience.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Landes Bioscience
Volume
3
Issue
4
First Page
235
Last Page
239
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
25(OH)D, Females, Food frequency questionnaire, High performance liquid chromatography, Sun avoidance inventory, United Arab Emirates, Vitamin D deficiency, Young adult emiratis
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License
Recommended Citation
Al Anouti, Fatme; Thomas, Justin; Abdel-Wareth, Laila; Rajah, Jaishen; Grant, William B.; and Haq, Afrozul, "Vitamin D deficiency and sun avoidance among university students at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates" (2011). All Works. 3918.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/3918
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Hybrid: This publication is openly available in a subscription-based journal/series