Pilot study of sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in Arab women of childbearing age
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Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is common in Arab women, In a pilot study we investigated the effect of sun exposure at recommended levels on the vitamin D status of Arab women. Eight healthy Arab women of child-bearing age consented to expose their face, arms and hands for 15 minutes per day twice a week for 4 weeks within the privacy of their courtyard and to avoid changes in dietary vitamin D intake. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25[OH]] levels were measured pre- and post-intervention. Although vitamin D levels remained sub-optimal, median serum 25[OH]D levels were significantly higher post-intervention [23.0 nmol/L] than pre-intervention [17.6 nmol/L]. Extending sun exposure for more than 4 weeks should be investigated as part of strategies to improve vitamin D status in high-risk Arab women who lack outdoor sun exposure to the skinCitation
Dawodu, A., Kochiyil, J. & Altaye, M. (2011). Pilot study of sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in Arab women of childbearing age. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 17 (7), 570-574, 2011 https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/118660