Vitamin D Deficiency in Healthy Male Population: Results of the Iranian Multi- Center Osteoporosis Study

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its causative factors has been estimated more frequently in elder population, women, and patients with osteoporosis in different countries, but this issue is less defined in male population within different age groups especially in Asian countries. Therefore, we studied the role of effective factors in vitamin D deficiency and its prevalence in Iranian healthy men. METHODS: This study was a multi center and carried out in five metropolitans in Iran. Serum 25 Hydroxy vitamin D and other biochemical variables were determined in 2396 healthy men in late winter of 2001. RESULTS: 68.8% of participants suffered from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D levels were the highest in Bushehr (n= 111, 40.3%) (P< 0.05) and between Shiraz and Tabriz, Shiraz had the better values (P< 0.05). Tehran had the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (n= 380, n= 85.7%). Geographical zone independently predicted vitamin D status (P< 0.05). There was not any association among age (r= 0.035, P> 0.05), physical activity (r= 0.023, P> 0.05), and exposure of face & hands to sunlight (r= 0.022, P> 0.05) with vitamin D levels. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iranian male population is high, considering Iranian cultural and geographical zones, food fortification and life style modification is recommended.