SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE AND SERUM VITAMIN D STATUS AMONG COMMUNITY DWELLING HEALTHY WOMEN IN SRI LANKA

Subasinghe HWAS*, Lekamwasam S., Ball P., Morrissey H. and Waidyaratne EI.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent and linked with a multitude of co-morbidities. The high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, despite the availability of sunlight throughout the year has raised many questions. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associations with diet and sunlight in premenopausal women in Sri Lanka. Methods: Community dwelling healthy women between 20-40 years (n = 132) were selected. Consumption of vitamin D (vit-D) rich dairy and non-dairy foods were estimated. Serum vit-D and calcium were measured. Vit-D reference values introduced by Lips et al were used to categorize subjects. Results and conclusion: Eight subjects (6.1%) were Vit-D deficient while 68 (51.5%) had Vit-D insufficiency. No difference in vit-D status according to age (20-30 vs 31-40 years). Vit-D was higher in women who had sun exposure >2 hours/day compared to women with <2 hours sunlight. Vit-D positively associated with dairy (Pearson r = 0.20, p = 0.023) and non-dairy vit-D rich food intake (Pearson r = 0.21, p = 0.014). Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent among community dwelling healthy middle-aged women in Sri Lanka. Higher vit-D level is associated with sufficient duration of sun exposure and dairy, non-dairy food intake.

Keywords: Vitamin D, Women, Sri Lanka, Sun light, Dairy, Deficiency.