Barriers towards Sun Exposure and Strategies to Overcome These Barriers in Female Indoor Workers with Insufficient Vitamin D: A Qualitative Approach.

Nurul Nadiah Shahudin,Nor Aini Jamil,Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin,Zahara Abdul Manaf,Kok-Yong Chin,Mohd Jamil Sameeha

doi:10.3390/nu12102994

Nurul Nadiah Shahudin, Nor Aini Jamil + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102994

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Abstract

The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is significant even in tropical countries such as Malaysia. Sun exposure is the primary source of vitamin D for most people due to limited intakes of food containing vitamin D and supplements. This study explored the perception of barriers towards sun exposure and strategies to overcome these barriers among vitamin D insufficient women workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-five female indoor workers with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 50 nmol/L participated in seven focus group discussions (FGDs). Barriers towards sun exposure were lack of accurate knowledge of vitamin D, health concern towards sun exposure, time constraints, desire to have fair and beautiful skin, sedentary lifestyle, indoor workplace, weather, lack of social support, living arrangement, safety concerns, and religious or cultural practices. The improvement strategies were classified into lifestyle changes and workplace opportunity for sun exposure. Public education on safe sun exposure to produce an optimal level of vitamin D is necessary. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of sunlight exposure program at workplace for the high-risk vitamin D deficiency group.

Highlights

Vitamin D insufficiency remains to be a concerning health issue worldwide due to its high prevalence among populations from various countries, cultural backgrounds and age groups [1], including tropical countries receiving substantial amount of sun exposure throughout the year [2].the significant health impact of low vitamin D status remains unclear
In countries where dietary vitamin D food intake and supplements are limited [6], and fortification of food with vitamin D is not compulsory, sunlight exposure is the primary source of vitamin D among the populations [6,7]
This study provides insight into the barriers towards sun exposure among vitamin D insufficiency women

Summary

Introduction

Vitamin D insufficiency remains to be a concerning health issue worldwide due to its high prevalence among populations from various countries, cultural backgrounds and age groups [1], including tropical countries receiving substantial amount of sun exposure throughout the year [2].the significant health impact of low vitamin D status remains unclear. Vitamin D insufficiency remains to be a concerning health issue worldwide due to its high prevalence among populations from various countries, cultural backgrounds and age groups [1], including tropical countries receiving substantial amount of sun exposure throughout the year [2]. In countries where dietary vitamin D food intake and supplements are limited [6], and fortification of food with vitamin D is not compulsory, sunlight exposure is the primary source of vitamin D among the populations [6,7]. Government bodies often establish sun exposure guidelines to ensure a balance between the beneficial and harmful effects of sunlight [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion