Vitamin D status and its associated factors of free living Malay adults in a tropical country, Malaysia.
J Photochem Photobiol B. 2011 May 19.
Moy FM.
Julius Centre University of Malaya, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Vitamin D status is influenced by sun exposure, geographic latitude, daily outdoor activities, body surface exposed to sunlight and dietary intakes. Malaysia, is sunny all year round. However, the vitamin D status of this population especially among the healthy and free living adults is not known. Therefore a study of vitamin D status and associated factors was initiated among an existing Malay cohort in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 380 subjects were sampled to have their vitamin D status assessed using 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A short questionnaire enquiring socio-demographic characteristics, exposure to sunlight and clothing style was administered. Their mean age was 48.5±5.2years and the mean 25(OH)D for males and females were 56.2±18.9nmol/L and 36.2±13.4nmol/L respectively.
(women = 14 ng)
There were significant
- positive correlation for sun exposure score (r=0.27, p<0.001) and
- negative correlation for sun protection score (r=-0.41, p<0.001) with 25(OH)D levels.
In the logistic regression model, females (OR=2.93; 95% CI: 1.17, 7.31), BMI (1.1; 1.03, 1.20) and sun exposure score (0.998; 0.996, 0.999) were significantly associated with vitamin D status as represented by 25(OH)D levels.
Our findings show that
- obesity,
- lifestyle behaviours and
- clothing style
are directly associated with our participants especially females' low vitamin D status.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PMID: 21636288
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