Τίτλος:
Effect of physical activity and sun exposure on vitamin D status of
Saudi children and adolescents
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Background: Accumulating evidence suggests an increased prevalence of
vitamin D deficiency in the Middle East. In this context, we aimed to
determine whether the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is related to
degree of physical activity and sun exposure among apparently healthy
Saudi children and adolescents, a little studied population.
Methods: A total of 331 Saudi children aged 6-17 years (153 boys and 178
girls) were included in this cross sectional study. Levels of physical
activity and sun exposure were determined using a standard
questionnaire. Anthropometry, serum calcium and 25-(OH) vitamin D were
analyzed.
Results: All subjects were vitamin D deficient, the majority being
moderately deficient (71.6%). Age was the single most significant
predictor affecting 25 (OH) Vitamin D levels, explaining 21% of the
variance perceived (p = 1.68 x 10(-14)). Age-matched comparisons
revealed that for groups having the same amount of sun exposure, those
with moderate or are physically active will have higher levels of
vitamin D status, though levels in across groups remained deficient.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common among Saudi children and
adolescents, and is influenced by both sun exposure and physical
activity. Promotion of an active outdoor lifestyle among Saudi children
in both homes and schools may counteract the vitamin D deficiency
epidemic in this vulnerable population. Vitamin D supplementation is
suggested in all groups, including those with the highest sun exposure
and physical activity.
Συγγραφείς:
Al-Othman, Abdulaziz
Al-Musharaf, Sara
Al-Daghri, Nasser M. and
Krishnaswamy, Soundararajan
Yusuf, Deqa S.
Alkharfy, Khalid M.
and Al-Saleh, Yousef
Al-Attas, Omar S.
Alokail, Majed S. and
Moharram, Osama
Sabico, Shaun
Chrousos, George P.
Περιοδικό:
BMC Pediatrics
Εκδότης:
BioMed Central Ltd.
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
Vitamin D; Saudi children
DOI:
10.1186/1471-2431-12-92
