Comparative analysis of vitamin D status and solar exposition habits in adolescent and elderly Spanish women. The Five Countries Study (OPTIFORD Project)

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is known to be very common in adolescent girls and elderly women. To analyze vitamin D status, vitamin D intake and solar exposure of Spanish participants in The Five Countries Study of Optiford Project. Questionnaires approved and validated of lifestyle and food consumption frequency applied. The biochemical analysis of 25-hidroxivitamin D and PTH and the evaluation of the solar exposure (dosymeter UV VioSpor) were carried out. The average solar exposure of adolescent girls (1,519 J/m²) was double than elderly women (740 J/m²). The vitamin D status of adolescent girls in summer and winter was better than elderly women. Solar exposure habits are different between the two age groups. This fact, jointly to the lower body's capacity to synthesize Vitamin D through exposure to the sun in the elderly, may justify the worse vitamin D status in this age group.