Circadian behavior and vitamin D status: a study on students at Faculty of Health, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is still common in various community groups, including women of childbearing age. Not only because of a lifestyle that avoids the sun, but recent research has shown that circadian behavior, which includes eating and sleeping patterns, is associated with vitamin D deficiency. This study aims to provide information about female students' vitamin D status and circadian behavior to prevent further health problems. Methods: This research was quantitative, analytic, and observational, with a cross sectional study approach. The population was students of the academic year 2019 in the Faculty of Health, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya, in 2022. The sample size was 50 people. Data collection includes circadian behavior with parameters of sleep patterns, eating patterns, and plasma vitamin D levels. Sleep pattern data was collected using The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. Circadian eating pattern data was taken with 24-hour recall instruments. Plasma vitamin D levels were obtained by taking blood samples analyzed using the Fluorescence Immunoassay Rapid Quantitative Test method. Data analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel statistical test on the SPSS program. Results: The results showed that 80.0% of samples had a predominantly daytime (pDT) eating pattern, 64.0% had poor sleep quality, and 68.0% had vitamin D deficiency. Bivariate analysis for eating patterns and vitamin D status showed OR = 0.890 (0.197-4.012). Bivariate analysis for sleep pattern and vitamin D status showed OR value = 1.362 (0.385-4.817). However, the p-value indicates an insignificant correlation (p=0.880 and p=0.631) Conclusion: The study shows poor sleep quality and predominantly daytime eating patterns are not risk factors for vitamin D deficiency.