Abstract
BackgroundVitamin D (Vit D) deficiency/insufficiency is an important risk factor for several chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge and behavior of female adolescents with respect to the association between sunlight exposure, sunscreen use, and Vit D status.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was performed in northeastern Iran, among 940 female adolescents in January 2015. Each subject completed a questionnaire containing items about demographic characteristics, knowledge about Vit D and their use of sunscreen. Serum Vit D levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence method and dietary intake of Vit D was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsFew of the participants were aware of the biological functions of Vit D (8.8%), the causes of Vit D deficiency (16.7%), and the sources of Vit D (9.3%). Less than half of the participants used sunscreen during the day. The serum levels of Vit D in subjects who used sunscreen were significantly lower than those who did not (p = 0.004). However, there was no significant association between their knowledge about Vit D and serum Vit D, or dietary intake of Vit D.ConclusionThere appears to be a lack of coherence between lifestyle, behavior and knowledge that may affect the Vit D status of adolescent girls in northeastern Iran. This information provides a basis for developing public health planning (workshops or training at the college level) for the prevention of Vit D deficiency especially in adolescent girls.
Highlights
Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency/insufficiency is an important risk factor for several chronic conditions
Vit D deficiency may enhance the risk of cancer, diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, tuberculosis and cardiovascular disease [3]
Serum Vit D levels were not related to attainment of puberty, other family members sharing their room, or having an exclusive room, parental divorce, as Behavior toward sunlight and sunscreen usage of participant Girls who used sunscreen were more likely to be deficient in Vit D compared to individuals who did not use sunscreen (P = 0.004; Fig. 1)
Summary
Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency/insufficiency is an important risk factor for several chronic conditions. Vit D deficiency may enhance the risk of cancer, diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, tuberculosis and cardiovascular disease [3]. Deficiency of Vit D is positively associated with the morbidity from several conditions, that include: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and autoimmune diseases [4,5,6,7]. Vit D deficiency is common in many developing countries [8]. In Asian countries, the risk of Vit D deficiency may be underestimated as it may be taken for granted that individuals receive sunshine throughout the year. Vit D status has been shown to be compromised in Middle Eastern countries despite the intense prevailing sunshine [10]. The prevalence of Vit D deficiency in China, Turkey, India, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, has been estimated to be 30–93% over the last 2 decades [11]
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