Vitamin D deficiency and sun avoidance among university students at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This study offers evidence that vitamin D deficiency could be a major public health burden among young Emirati adults, mostly because of sun deprivation in a sun-blessed country. This study included a random sample of 138 females and 70 males tested for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status. To further evaluate the predictors of vitamin D status in this population, the study examined diet, obesity, and sun exposure. In summer, the mean serum 25(OH)D concentration for females was 20.9 ± 14.9 nmol/L, whereas that for males was 27.3 ± 15.7 nmol/L. Females scored significantly higher than males on the sun avoidance inventory (SAI), indicating that females avoid sun exposure to a greater extent than males, possibly explaining the lower vitamin D status. A significant negative correlation also existed between SAI and vitamin D status (Pearson’s r = –0.33; p < 0.01), but no significant association was evident between vitamin D status and body mass index (Pearson’s r = 0.03; p = 0.33) or low dietary intake of vitamin D–fortified foods (Pearson’s r = 0.08; p = 0.13). The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration for females tested in winter was 31.3 ± 12.3 nmol/L while in the summer, it was 20.9 ± 14.9 nmol/L. This difference was statistically significant, suggesting that seasonal variation plays an important role in vitamin D status in the United Arab Emirates. Fortification of foods and drinks with vitamin D, supplementation, and sensible sun exposure are important steps toward minimizing vitamin D deficiency.

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

W.B.G. receives or has received funding from the UV Foundation (McLean, VA), the Sunlight Research Forum (Veldhoven), Bio-Tech-Pharmacal (Fayetteville, AR), the Vitamin D Council (San Luis Obispo, CA) and the Danish Sunbed Federation (Middelfart).

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by research funds from Zayed University and the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy granted to F. Al Anouti. We thank Dr. Ali Djawad Khalili, from Primary Health Care Services of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City for his cooperation throughout this study and Ms. Sarra Al Hasani for statistical analysis of the data. Ms. Sharifa Al Adawi and Ms. Mariam Mansouri for their valuable help in recruitment and data entry and Mr. Nafiz Nimer Hussein for his technical expertise in the HPLC analysis.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1 Group distribution of serum 25(OH)D status according to sun avoidance attitude: Scores for SAI are categorized as follows: 0–25, low avoidance; 26–35, moderate avoidance; 36–80, high avoidance.

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of male and female students that participated in the study

Table 2 Baseline characteristics of only female students during summer and winter