Determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in healthy young adults living in the Western Cape, South Africa
South African Family Practice
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in healthy young adults living in the Western Cape, South Africa | |
| Creator | Visser, J. Knight, K. Philips, L. Visser, W. Wallace, M. Nel, D. G. Blaauw, R. | |
| Description | 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. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2019-09-04 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/safp.v61i4.4951 | |
| Source | South African Family Practice; Vol 61, No 4 (2019): July/August; 26 2078-6204 2078-6190 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
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https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4951/5848
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