scholarly journals Vitamin D deficiency in western dwelling South Asian populations: an unrecognised epidemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L. Darling
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
South Asian ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Bone Diseases ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Asian Populations

Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D; 25(OH)D) is at epidemic proportions in western dwelling South Asian populations, including severe deficiency (<12⋅5 nmol/l) in 27–60% of individuals, depending on season. The paper aimed to review the literature concerning vitamin D concentrations in this population group. Research from the UK and Europe suggests a high prevalence of South Asians with 25(OH)D concentration <25 nmol/l, with most having a 25(OH)D concentration of <50 nmol/l. In Canada, South Asians appear to have a slightly higher 25(OH)D concentration. There are few studies from the United States, South Africa and Australasia. Reasons for vitamin D deficiency include low vitamin D intake, relatively high adiposity, sun exposure avoidance and wearing of a covered dress style for cultural reasons. Possible health effects of deficiency include bone diseases such as rickets and hypocalcaemia in children and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D deficiency may also increase the risk of other chronic diseases. Increased fortification of food items relevant to South Asian groups (e.g. chapatti flour), as well as increased use of vitamin D supplements may help reduce this epidemic. Introducing culturally acceptable ways of increasing skin exposure to the sun in South Asian women may also be beneficial but further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of different approaches. There may be a need for a South Asian specific vitamin D dietary intake guideline in western countries. To conclude, vitamin D deficiency is epidemic in South Asians living in western countries and there is a clear need for urgent public health action.

scholarly journals Knowledge and attitudes towards vitamin D food fortification

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Clark ◽  
Julie Doyle ◽  
Owen Bull ◽  
Sophie McClean ◽  
Tom Hill
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Far Eastern

Purpose Vitamin D deficiency is a well-recognised public health problem within the UK, with specific population groups more vulnerable to deficiency. Two pilot studies were used to explore awareness of vitamin D deficiency and attitudes towards food fortification. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 120 participants from five at-risk groups (South Asians, Blacks, Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Caucasian older adults over 65 years) plus a group of British Caucasians who do not avoid sun exposure explored awareness of vitamin D, sun exposure knowledge and behaviour and attitudes towards food fortification. The latter group was included to provide a comparison group who were at a reduced risk of deficiency. χ2 was used to test associations between categorical variables and the study groups. The second study used three focus groups and two interviews, conducted on young South Asian females and examined knowledge and awareness of vitamin D and vitamin D-fortified foods. Findings A lack of knowledge and misconceptions were highlighted by both studies in relation to at-risk factors, including sunlight exposure (p = 0.037), dietary intakes (p = 0.0174) and darker skin pigmentation (p = 0.023), sources of vitamin D and the health benefits associated with optimal consumption. Attitudes to mandatory fortification of some foods varied significantly (p = 0.004) between the groups with acceptance rates for Blacks (68 per cent), those over 65 years (50 per cent), Middle Eastern (67 per cent) and Far Eastern (73 per cent), whereas the control (71 per cent) showed no acceptance, and South Asians gave a mixed response (48 per cent No). Focus group findings highlighted positive views towards fortification, although this was less for mandatory as opposed to voluntary fortification. Both pilot studies highlight the need for more research into this area, to create more effective public health policies. Originality/value The research presents novel insights into a topical area where there is limited research.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Deficiency in South Asian Populations: A Serious Emerging Problem

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-66
Author(s):  
HAM Nazmul Ahasan ◽  
Aparna Das
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Asian Populations

Journal of Enam Medical College; Vol 3 No 2 July 2013; Page 63-66 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v3i2.16125

scholarly journals Is Sunlight Exposure Enough to Avoid Wintertime Vitamin D Deficiency in United Kingdom Population Groups?

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Kift ◽  
Lesley Rhodes ◽  
Mark Farrar ◽  
Ann Webb
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Skin Type ◽  
Type I ◽  
Oral Vitamin ◽  
Working Age

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is required for cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, and experimental studies have indicated the levels of sun exposure required to avoid a vitamin D deficient status. Our objectives are to examine the sun exposure behaviours of different United Kingdom sectors and to identify if their exposure is enough to maintain winter circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D above deficiency (>25 nmol/L). Data are from a series of human studies involving >500 volunteers and performed using the same protocols in Greater Manchester, UK (53.5° N) in healthy white Caucasian adolescents and working-age adults (skin type I–IV), healthy South Asian working-age adults (skin type V), and adults with photodermatoses (skin conditions caused or aggravated by cutaneous sun exposure). Long-term monitoring of the spectral ambient UVR of the Manchester metropolitan area facilitates data interpretation. The healthy white populations are exposed to 3% ambient UVR, contrasting with ~1% in South Asians. South Asians and those with photodermatoses wear clothing exposing smaller skin surface area, and South Asians have the lowest oral vitamin D intake of all groups. Sun exposure levels prevent winter vitamin D deficiency in 95% of healthy white adults and 83% of adolescents, while 32% of the photodermatoses group and >90% of the healthy South Asians were deficient. The latter require increased oral vitamin D, whilst their sun exposure provides a tangible contribution and might convey other health benefits.

scholarly journals Very high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in South Asian adults (n 6433) in the UK Biobank: urgent action required

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Darling ◽  
David Blackbourn ◽  
Kourosh Ahmadi ◽  
Susan Lanham-New
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
South Asian ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
Asian Ethnicity ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
South Asian Ethnicity ◽  
The Uk

AbstractPublished studies have suggested a high prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) deficiency in western dwelling South Asians, particularly in women. However, sample sizes have been relatively small with few men. Moreover, South Asians are vastly under-represented in national dietary surveys and further research into 25(OH)D status is needed. The UK Biobank is a cohort of 500,000 individuals; n 6433 are of South Asian ethnicity and have baseline serum 25(OH)D data (2006–2010, aged 40–69 years). Blood draws were spread across the year. Of note, the 25(OH)D measurements were produced using the DiaSorin Liaison XL assay which underestimates 25(OH)D by 4% at 25nmol/L, but overestimates 25(OH)D by 5–10% at ≥ 40nmol/\L(1). We used the commonly used cut-points of < 25nmol/L (deficiency), < 50nmol/L (insufficiency). In women (n 2927), median (IQR) was 24.3 (20.5) nmol/L with 50.4% < 25nmol/L, and 88.6% < 50nmol/L. In men (n 3506), median (IQR) was 21.7 (16.2) with 58.4% < 25 nmol/L and 93.8% < 50 nmol/L. Of concern, 17.8% of women and 21.1% of men had 25(OH)D < 15nmol/L. A Mann Whitney test showed that gender differences were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). In terms of ethnic sub-groups, in the Bangladeshi group (n 207), median (IQR) was 26.1 (14.3) nmol/L with 43.5% < 25nmol/L and 91.3% < 50nmol/L. In the Indian group (n 4792), median (IQR) was 23.8 (19.3) with 52.0% < 25nmol/L and 90.4% < 50nmol/L. Finally, in the Pakistani group (n 1434) median (IQR) was 19.3(14.5) with 65.7% < 25nmol/L and 94.9% < 50nmol/L. A Kruskal Wallis test showed that ethnic subgroup differences were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest analysis to date of 25(OH)D status in European dwelling South Asians. Deficiency of 25(OH)D was almost universal, with 50% or more not even reaching 25nmol/L. Of great concern, 20% of participants had levels < 15nmol/L which, although not a widely used cut-off point, still represents severe deficiency and likely osteomalacia. Moreover, these results are most probably an underestimation of this societal challenge as the UK Biobank is likely to contain participants that are healthier and more educated than the general population. In conclusion, our analyses suggest the need for urgent public health interventions to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in UK South Asians. This research was conducted using the UK Biobank Resource under application number 15168.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Italian Single-Center Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Aleksova ◽  
Rita Belfiore ◽  
Cosimo Carriere ◽  
Salam Kassem ◽  
Salvatore La Carrubba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
High Exposure

Abstract. Background: Hypovitaminosis D is a vitamin deficiency that has been increasing in developed countries; it was also suggested as an emerging risk factor for developing of atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction. The primary source of vitamin D is its cutaneous synthesis under exposure to sunlight. It has been suggested that 30 min of sun exposure twice weekly leads to sufficient vitamin D synthesis. The residents of Trieste (Italy) are well-known for their high exposure to sunlight in all seasons. We aimed to investigate the vitamin D status in subjects with acute myocardial infarction living in this area. Methods: Vitamin D status was identified in 478 subjects diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. Results: The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 14.5 [7.8 - 22.7] ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were present in 324 (68 %) and 107 (22 %) subjects, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was less frequent among subjects enrolled in the period from July to the end of September (p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis vitamin D deficiency was predicted by older age (p = 0.02), female gender (p = 0.002), higher body mass index (p = 0.05), autumn/winter sampling (p < 0.001), increased parathyroid hormone (p = 0.03) and alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.003). Conclusions: We observed very high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among subjects with myocardial infarction in all seasons of enrollment. However, it was lower in the summer when sun exposure is higher. The exposure to sunlight may be a cost-saving therapeutic strategy for the management of vitamin D deficiency.

Domestic Violence Victimization among South Asian Immigrant Men and Women in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110152
Author(s):  
Abha Rai ◽  
Y. Joon Choi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
South Asian ◽  
South Asians ◽  
The United States ◽  
Asian Immigrant ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Violence Victimization ◽  
Immigrant Men ◽  
South Asian Immigrant

Domestic violence is a pernicious social problem in the United States and a cause of national concern. The South Asian culture disempowers individuals experiencing domestic violence from recognizing and reporting victimization. Structural inequities may also discourage reporting victimization. These issues have led to inconsistent findings of domestic violence prevalence rates. Additionally, domestic violence studies with South Asians in the United States have predominantly focused on women, omitting men from this purview of research. The purpose of this study was to examine domestic violence victimization rates as well as their correlates among South Asian immigrant men and women. The sample for this cross-sectional study included 468 South Asians across the 50 U.S. states. Descriptive statistics were used to establish rates of domestic violence victimization. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the correlates of domestic violence victimization. All of the sociodemographic information was added in step 1, and acculturation and gender-role attitudes were added as covariates in step 2. The most prevalent type of domestic violence victimization was physical violence (48%), followed by emotional (38%), economic (35%), verbal (27%), immigration-related (26%), in-laws related (19%), and ultimately sexual abuse (11%). Prevalence rates were higher for women than for men in each type of violence. According to the logistic regression results, education, generational position, family type, and employment were significant correlates of domestic violence victimization. Prior to development of prevention programs by community agencies, it is essential to understand the nature and prevalence of domestic violence experiences among South Asians. The victimization of men in addition to women adds to the novelty of this research study and paves the way for practitioners and scholars to engage in conversations about providing both male and female victims of domestic violence with the needed resources and support. The article will discuss implications for research, practice, and policy.

Abstract T P146: Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated With Stroke in Black and White Participants of the REGARDS Study

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne E Judd ◽  
Virginia J Howard ◽  
Paul Muntner ◽  
Brett M Kissela ◽  
Bhupesh Panwar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Regards Study

Objective: Black Americans are at greater risk of both stroke and vitamin D deficiency than white Americans. We have previously shown that both higher dietary vitamin D and sunlight exposure are associated with decreased risk of stroke; however, serum 25(OH) is thought to be a better marker of vitamin D status. Methods: Using a case cohort design, we examined the association of plasma 25(OH)D with incident stroke in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a cohort of black and white participants from across the United States enrolled between 2003 and 2007. Medical records were reviewed by physicians and strokes were classified on the basis of symptoms and neuroimaging. Strokes through July 1, 2011 were included. A stratified cohort sample was selected to ensure approximately equal numbers of black and white participants and an equal distribution across ages. We used Cox proportional hazards models weighted back to the original 30,239 participants, excluding those with history of stroke. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by Immunodetection Systems ELISA. Results: Over mean follow-up of 4.4 years, there were 539 ischemic and 71 hemorrhagic strokes. The stroke-free sub-cohort included 939 participants. After adjustment for age, race, sex, education, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, atrial fibrillation, heart disease, physical activity, kidney function, calcium and phosphorous, 25(OH)D level 30 ng/mL. The direction of association was similar for hemorrhagic stroke though not statistically significant (HR=1.59; 95%CI=0.78, 3.24). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of all stroke (HR=1.54; 95%CI=1.05, 2.23). This effect was greater in blacks (HR=2.09; 95%CI=1.09, 3.99) than whites (HR=1.38; 95%CI=0.78, 2.42). Results were not as strong when we modeled 25(OH)D as a continuous variable (HR=0.99 per 1 ng/ml change in 25(OH)D; 95%CI=0.98, 1.01). Discussion: Similar to low vitamin D intake, vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for incident stroke. These findings support evidence from cardiovascular and cancer epidemiology that treating low 25(OH)D may prevent strokes.

Promoting allyship among South Asian and Arab Muslims toward Black and Latino/a Muslims in American Islamic centers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nausheen Pasha-Zaidi ◽  
Meg Aum Warren ◽  
Yvonne Pilar El Ashmawi ◽  
Neneh Kowai-Bell
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
South Asians ◽  
The United States ◽  
Muslim Americans ◽  
Social Categories ◽  
Islam In America ◽  
The Us ◽  
Racial Dialogue ◽  
Muslim Communities ◽  
Black And Latino

Increased social justice awareness in the United States and shifting demographics are giving birth to a more diverse and egalitarian generation. Improving relations across social categories has been a key topic in di-versity, equity, and inclusion work, but less emphasis has been placed on cross-racial allyship within mi-nority populations. While allyship in racial contexts is often perceived as a White versus non-White issue, this binary position erases the diversity that exists within communities of color. A dichotomous approach to allyship that positions White heterosexual males as the primary holders of privilege does not address the disparities that exist within and across minoritized communities. While Arabs and South Asians are minori-ties in the US on a macrolevel, they often hold privileged positions in Islamic centers and other Muslim spaces—even though Black Americans make up a larger percentage of the Muslim population. Additional-ly, there is an increasing number of Latino/a Muslims in the US, but they are often invisible in larger con-versations about Islam in America as well as in discourse among Muslim Americans. In this chapter, we explore the concept of allyship and how South Asian and Arab Muslims can support and advocate for Black and Latino/a Muslims in American Islamic centers. We also discuss Islamophobia in the US as well as the anti-Blackness and racism that exists within Muslim communities and provide suggestions on how Islamic centers can serve as spaces of allyship and cross-racial dialogue.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency, Metabolic Syndrome and Association Between the Two in a South Asian Population

2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Reddy Allam ◽  
Rashmi Pant ◽  
Chengappa K Uthappa ◽  
Manjunath Dinaker ◽  
Ganesh Oruganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
South Asian Population

scholarly journals Seasonal Variation in Vitamin D in Association with Age, Inflammatory Cytokines, Anthropometric Parameters, and Lifestyle Factors in Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Elizondo-Montemayor ◽  
Elena C. Castillo ◽  
Carlos Rodríguez-López ◽  
José R. Villarreal-Calderón ◽  
Merit Gómez-Carmona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Healthy Older Adults

Vitamin D deficiency is present even in sunny regions. Ageing decreases pre-vitamin D production in the skin and is associated with altered cytokine profile. We performed a multivariate analysis considering lifestyle factors, anthropometric, and inflammatory markers according to seasonal variation in Mexican healthy older adults. The same cohort was followed during 12 months. Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was found in 91.3% of the subjects despite living in appropriate latitude (25°40′0″N). 25(OH)D levels remained below <30 ng/mL through all seasons. Vitamin D deficiency did not correlate to sun exposure or dietary intake. Gender was the strongest associated factor, explaining a variance of 20%. Waist circumference (WC) greater than 88 cm was a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency. Age (>74 years) combined with WC (>88 cm) and BMI (>32.7) showed a high probability (90%) of vitamin D deficiency. Remarkably, an increase in one centimeter in WC decreased 25(OH)D by 0.176 ng/mL, while an increase in one point BMI decreased 25(OH)D by 0.534 ng/mL. A cutoff point of 74 years of age determined probability of vitamin D hipovitaminosis. Vitamin D deficiency was correlated with TNF-αserum levels, possibly increasing the susceptibility of older adults to a proinflammatory state and its related diseases.

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