The Impact of Dietary Intake and Sun Exposure on Vitamin D Deficiency among Couples

Fatima A. Al-Haddad; Fadheela  Al-Mahroos; Huda S. Al-Sahlawi; Eshraq Al-Amer

doi:10.12816/0004465

Article Details

The Impact of Dietary Intake and Sun Exposure on Vitamin D Deficiency among Couples

Authors:

Fatima A. Al-Haddad | Fadheela Al-Mahroos | Huda S. Al-Sahlawi | Eshraq Al-Amer

Publisher:

King Hamad University Hospital

Main Topics:

Medicine

Journal:

Bahrain Medical Bulletin 2014 Vol.36 Issue 1, pp.33-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2014

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

47111

Frequency:

Quarterly

pISSN:

10128298

DOI:

10.12816/0004465

Descriptors:

Abstract:

 Background: The main sources of vitamin D are sun exposure and diet. There is a gap in ourknowledge about the contribution of these factors to vitamin D level among couples in Bahrain.
Objective: To determine vitamin D dietary intake and sun exposure and their impact on vitaminD level.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Maternity hospitals.
Method: Data were collected using an adapted pre-validated food frequency questionnaire. Itwas 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 dataanalysis. P value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Result: Three hundred and twenty five couples were included in the study. The mean dietaryintake of vitamin D was low, but not significantly different between men and women. Vitamin Dlevel was <50 nmol/L in 209 (64.3%) men and 292 (89.8%) women. The mean 25(OH)D level inmales (46.06 ± 12.97 nmol/L) was significantly higher than females (33.12 ± 13.48 nmol/L). Therewas 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 infemales which is attributed to the use of veil.
Conclusion: 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 andto supplement veiled women and those at risk of deficiency with vitamin D.

Article Details

The Impact of Dietary Intake and Sun Exposure on Vitamin D Deficiency among Couples

Authors:

Fatima A. Al-Haddad | Fadheela Al-Mahroos | Huda S. Al-Sahlawi | Eshraq Al-Amer

Publisher:

King Hamad University Hospital

Main Topics:

Medicine

Journal:

Bahrain Medical Bulletin 2014 Vol.36 Issue 1, pp.33-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2014

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

47111

Frequency:

Quarterly

pISSN:

10128298

DOI:

10.12816/0004465

Descriptors:

DISEASES

VITAMIN DEFICIENCY

VITAMIN D

SOLAR RADIATION

FOOD

MARRIED MEN

Issues

Article Details

The Impact of Dietary Intake and Sun Exposure on Vitamin D Deficiency among Couples

Authors: Fatima A. Al-Haddad | Fadheela Al-Mahroos | Huda S. Al-Sahlawi | Eshraq Al-Amer

Publisher: King Hamad University Hospital

Main Topics: Medicine

Journal: Bahrain Medical Bulletin 2014 Vol.36 Issue 1, pp.33-37

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2014

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 47111

Frequency: Quarterly

pISSN: 10128298

DOI: 10.12816/0004465

Descriptors:

DISEASES

VITAMIN DEFICIENCY

VITAMIN D

SOLAR RADIATION

FOOD

MARRIED MEN

Issues

Authors:

Fatima A. Al-Haddad | Fadheela Al-Mahroos | Huda S. Al-Sahlawi | Eshraq Al-Amer

Publisher:

King Hamad University Hospital

Main Topics:

Medicine

Journal:

Bahrain Medical Bulletin 2014 Vol.36 Issue 1, pp.33-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2014

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

47111

Frequency:

Quarterly

pISSN:

10128298

DOI:

10.12816/0004465