Pilot study of sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in Arab women of childbearing age

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 skin