Do maternal dietary vitamin D intake and sunlight exposure affect the vitamin D status of exclusively breastfed infants?

This study assessed knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to vitamin D and its relationship with vitamin D status among Malay female office workers. A total of 147 women aged between 20 and 55 years were recruited from a university in Kuala Lumpur. They answered questionnaires related to KAP on vitamin D, sun exposure, dietary vitamin D intake and physical activity. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was analysed using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Nearly half (45%) of the subjects had good knowledge but moderate attitude (76%) and practice (84%) towards sunlight exposure and dietary vitamin D intake. Median serum 25OHD was 34.1 nmol/L with the majority (91%) had vitamin D insufficiency (25OHD < 50 nmol/L). Knowledge was weakly associated with attitude (r = 0.29, p < 0.001) but no association was found between knowledge and practice (r = 0.08, p = 0.355) nor attitude and practice (r = −0.001, p = 0.994). Serum 25OHD was positively associated with sunlight exposure (r = 0.22, p = 0.008) and dietary vitamin D intake (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). It can be implied that this group is at increased risk of low bone health status, which highlights the needs of public health campaigns to improve their vitamin D status.

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A Narrative Review of The Role of Foods as Dietary Sources of Vitamin D of Ethnic Minority Populations with Darker Skin: The Underestimated Challenge

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11010081 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 81 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jing Guo ◽

Julie A. Lovegrove ◽

David I. Givens

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Ultraviolet B ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Minority Populations ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

Ethnic Minority Populations ◽

Dietary Vitamin D ◽

Lower Vitamin

In recent years, vitamin D deficiency has attracted attention worldwide. Especially many ethnic minority populations are considered at high-risk of vitamin D deficiency, owing to a lesser ability to synthesis vitamin D from sunlight (ultraviolet B), due to the skin pigment melanin and/or reduced skin exposure due to coverage required by religious and cultural restrictions. Therefore, vitamin D intake from dietary sources has become increasingly important for many ethnic minority populations to achieve adequate vitamin D status compared with the majority of the population. The aim of the study was critically evaluate the vitamin D intake and vitamin D status of the ethnic minority populations with darker skin, and also vitamin D absorption from supplements and ultraviolet B. Pubmed, Embaase and Scopus were searched for articles published up to October 2018. The available evidence showed ethnic minority populations generally have a lower vitamin D status than the majority populations. The main contributory food sources for dietary vitamin D intake were different for ethnic minority populations and majority populations, due to vary dietary patterns. Future strategies to increase dietary vitamin D intake by food fortification or biofortification needs to be explored, not only for the majority population but more specifically for ethnic minority populations who are generally of lower vitamin D status.

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Global Perspective of the Vitamin D Status of African-Caribbean Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1038/s41430-021-00980-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca M. Vearing ◽

Kathryn H. Hart ◽

Andrea L. Darling ◽

Yasmine Probst ◽

Aminat S. Olayinka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

African Caribbean ◽

Dietary Vitamin D ◽

Caribbean Populations

Abstract Background/Objectives Vitamin D deficiency remains a global public health issue, particularly in minority ethnic groups. This review investigates the vitamin D status (as measured by 25(OH)D and dietary intake) of the African-Caribbean population globally. Subjects/Methods A systematic review was conducted by searching key databases (PUBMED, Web of Science, Scopus) from inception until October 2019. Search terms included ‘Vitamin D status’ and ‘African-Caribbean’. A random effects and fixed effects meta-analysis was performed by combining means and standard error of the mean. Result The search yielded 19 papers that included n = 5670 African-Caribbean participants from six countries. A meta-analysis found this population to have sufficient (>50 nmol/L) 25(OH)D levels at 67.8 nmol/L, 95% CI (57.9, 7.6) but poor dietary intake of vitamin D at only 3.0 µg/day, 95% CI (1.67,4.31). For those living at low latitudes ‘insufficient’ (as defined by study authors) 25(OH)D levels were found only in participants with type 2 diabetes and in those undergoing haemodialysis. Suboptimal dietary vitamin D intake (according to the UK recommended nutrient intake of 10 µg/day) was reported in all studies at high latitudes. Studies at lower latitudes, with lower recommended dietary intakes (Caribbean recommended dietary intake: 2.5 µg/day) found ‘sufficient’ intake in two out of three studies. Conclusions 25(OH)D sufficiency was found in African-Caribbean populations at lower latitudes. However, at higher latitudes, 25(OH)D deficiency and low dietary vitamin D intake was prevalent.

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Vitamin D status and dietary intake in young university students in the UK

Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.1108/nfs-07-2021-0201 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Honglin Dong ◽

Viktorija Asmolovaite ◽

Nareen Marseal ◽

Maryam Mearbon

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

University Students ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Small Scale ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Content Type ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

Dietary Vitamin D

Purpose Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide. This paper aims to investigate the vitamin D status and dietary intake in young university students. Design/methodology/approach Forty-one healthy students aged 18–29 years from Coventry University UK were recruited during January-February 2019, including white Caucasians (n = 18), African-Caribbeans (n = 14) and Asians (n = 9). Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were measured and dietary vitamin D intake was determined. Chi-square and simple linear regression were used to analyse the data. Findings The plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were (36.0 ± 22.2) nmol/L in all subjects, (46.5 ± 25.3) nmol/L in white Caucasians, (22.6 ± 7.4) nmol/L in African-Caribbeans and (37.4 ± 21.7 nmol/L) in Asians. The majority (85.7%) of African-Caribbeans were vitamin D deficient compared with 22.2% of white Caucasians and 33.3% of Asians (p = 0.001). Overweight/obese subjects showed a significant higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency (65%) than normal weight subjects (28.6%) (p = 0.04). The average dietary vitamin D intake in all subjects was (4.6 ± 3.9) µg/day. Only 12.1% of the subjects met the recommended dietary vitamin D intake of 10 µg/day. Dietary vitamin D intake (p = 0.04) and ethnicity (p = 0.01) were significant predictors of 25(OH)D levels and accounted for 13% and 18.5% of 25(OH)D variance, respectively. Research limitations/implications This small-scale study showed an alarmingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among subjects from African-Caribbean origin during wintertime. Education programs and campaigns are urgently needed to fight the vitamin D deficiency in this population. Originality/value The targeted population were in a critical period of transition from adolescence toward adulthood involving in changes in behaviours and nutrition.

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Vitamin D status in postmenopausal women living at higher latitudes in the UK in relation to bone health, overweight, sunlight exposure and dietary vitamin D

Bone ◽

10.1016/j.bone.2008.01.011 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. 996-1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

Helen M. Macdonald ◽

Alexandra Mavroeidi ◽

Rebecca J. Barr ◽

Alison J. Black ◽

William D. Fraser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Bone Health ◽

Sunlight Exposure ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

The Uk ◽

Dietary Vitamin D

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Determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in healthy young adults living in the Western Cape, South Africa

South African Family Practice ◽

10.4102/safp.v61i4.4951 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 26

Author(s):

J. Visser ◽

K. Knight ◽

L. Philips ◽

W. Visser ◽

M. Wallace ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Young Adults ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Skin Tone ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

Dietary Vitamin D

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is fast emerging as a global pandemic. In South Africa few studies have been conducted to determine the vitamin D status of the healthy population.Methods: This prospective study with an analytical component investigated vitamin D status of healthy undergraduate students at two time points (winter and summer) at Stellenbosch University. Serum 25(OH)D was determined, anthropometric measurements taken and dietary vitamin D intake estimated (food-frequency questionnaire). Skin tone was determined (Fitzpatrick skin type classification), and a skin reflectometry device used to measure dermal melanin content.Results: Results of 242 students indicated a mean serum 25(OH)D of 63.80 ± 41.35 ng/ml and a high prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency (88%). Significantly more females experienced suboptimal vitamin D levels than males (18 vs. 5%; p 0.01). Participants with lighter skin tones had higher levels of 25(OH)D than those with darker skin tones (chi-square = 24.02; p = 0.02). The majority (60.74%) had a normal BMI, although there was no significant relationship between BMI and serum 25 (OH)D (Spearman’s r=–0.11; p = 0.09). Total mean dietary vitamin D intake was 7.99 ± 13.81 mcg, with 87.2% having inadequate intake ( 15 mcg). The relationship between total vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH)D was found to be significant in winter (p 0.001) and summer (p = 0.01). Serum vitamin D levels were significantly higher in the winter phase (p 0.001).Conclusions: A low prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found amongst healthy young adults, despite low dietary vitamin D intakes. Significant relationships were found between serum 25(OH)D and gender, skin tone and vitamin D intake. Further studies need to be conducted, especially in high-risk groups, before results are applied to the greater South African public.

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Infants’ Vitamin D Nutritional Status in the First Year of Life in Northern Taiwan

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020404 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 404

Author(s):

Chiao-Ming Chen ◽

Shu-Ci Mu ◽

Yi-Ling Chen ◽

Li-Yi Tsai ◽

Yung-Ting Kuo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Anthropometric Measurement ◽

First Year ◽

Breastfed Infants ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

First Year Of Life ◽

Dietary Vitamin D ◽

Northern Taiwan

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and insufficiency (VDI) are common among exclusively breastfeeding infants. However, epidemiological evidence for the prevalence of VDD in infants during their first year of life in Taiwan has never been found. This trial determined the prevalence of VDD and VDI and the association between dietary vitamin D and vitamin D nutritional status in Northern Taiwan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on infants who returned to well-baby examinations from October 2012 to January 2014 in three hospitals: Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei Medical University Hospital, and Shuang Ho Hospital. The specific vitamin D cut-off concentrations for VDD, VDI, and VDS are 25(OH)D3 levels ≤20, 21–29, and ≥30 (ng/mL). Overall, 481 infants’ parents completed a questionnaire comprising questions related to vitamin D nutritional status, including weekly time outdoors, breastfeeding status, anthropometric measurement, and assessment of dietary intake, including milk and complementary food. The results revealed that 197 (41%) and 212 (44%) of infants in their first year of life had VDI and VDD, respectively, by the Endocrine Society guidelines. Breastfed infants had a higher prevalence of VDI (86.1%) than did mixed-fed (51.9%) and formula-fed (38.5%) infants (p < 0.001). The prevalence of VDD was 55.4% in infants aged under six months but increased to 61.6% in infants aged over six months. Infants in the VDI and VDD groups had the same anthropometrics as those in the vitamin D sufficiency (VDS) group. Our results revealed that 25(OH)D3 had a negative correlation with the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) when the serum 25(OH)D3 level ≤20 ng/mL (r = −0.21, p = 0.001). The VDS group had a higher total vitamin D intake than did the VDI and VDD groups, which was mainly obtained from infant formula. Our data revealed that dietary vitamin D intake and birth season were major indicators in predicting VDD. Lower dietary vitamin D intake and born in winter and spring significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) for VDI by 1.15 (95% CI 1.09–1.20) and 2.02 (95% CI 1.10–3.70), respectively, and that for VDD by 1.23 (95% CI 1.16–1.31) and 2.37 (95% CI 1.35–4.17) without covariates adjustment, respectively. Furthermore, ORs for VDI and VDD significantly differed after adjustment for covariates. In conclusion, the prevalence of VDI and VDD were high in infants during the first year of life. Breastfeeding infants had difficulty in obtaining sufficient vitamin D from diet. In cases where the amount of sun exposure that is safe and sufficient to improve vitamin D status is unclear, breastfed infants aged below one year old are recommended to be supplemented with vitamin D.

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Dietary vitamin D intake among university students and their habits concerning daily sunlight exposure – a cross-sectional study

Medicina Fluminensis ◽

10.21860/medflum2021_264896 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 396-406

Author(s):

Gordana Kenđel Jovanović ◽

Greta Krešić ◽

Sandra Pavičić Žeželj

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

University Students ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Sunlight Exposure ◽

Food Sources ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Physically Active ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Dietary Vitamin D

Aim: To evaluate students’ dietary vitamin D intake according to characteristics and habits concerning daily sunlight exposure. Methods: The study included 403 students of the University of Rijeka, Croatia that fulfilled questionnaire about their characteristics, habits, physical activity, supplement use, diet, and their daily sunlight exposure. For assessing diet quality, the Dietary inflammatory index (DII®) was used. Results: Average dietary vitamin D intake was 2.76 μg/day, statistically highest among men (p<0.01), medical sciences universities’ students (p<0.01), students with obesity (p=0.03), highly physically active (p=0.02) and smokers (p=0.01). Major dietary vitamin D sources were fish (42%, p<0.01) and meat and meat products (31%). Students that more frequently expose themselves to the sunlight were mostly men, overweight, moderately physically active, dietary supplements users, and had a diet with more anti-inflammatory potential, higher dietary vitamin D intake and its major dietary sources. Those who rarely and never used a sunscreen had a more anti-inflammatory diet and higher vitamin D and its major food sources intakes. Diet with more pro-inflammatory potential had students that rarely or never directly expose themselves to the sunlight, likewise the students that frequently used sunscreen. Those subgroups also had the lowest dietary vitamin D intake. Conclusions: The average dietary vitamin D intake by investigated university students satisfied only the fifth of the recommended daily vitamin D intake. Students with habits that can influence the lower synthesis of vitamin D may increase the risk of diseases related to bone health, immunity and inflammation in their future life. Provided results about students’ habits of their exposure to the sunlight might be useful for public health messages toward sufficient sunlight exposure, diet quality with more anti-inflammatory potential, vitamin D supplements use, and vitamin D deficiency prevention.

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