Hypovitaminosis D and its association with lifestyle factors

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to determine the serum vitamin D levels and their relation with demographic features and life style factors in young adults. METHODS: It was an analytical cross-sectional study on 88 subjects aged 18–40 years. Relevant information about physical activity, job place, duration of sun exposure, educational status and socioeconomic conditions was obtained. Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D were measured by ELISA. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Mean serum vitamin D level was 8.44±0.49 (Range: 1.00–21.08) ng/ml in participants. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 98.86% of the population. Mean vitamin D levels were significantly lower in females (p=0.0001), physically less active (p=0.006), indoor job holders (p=0.0001), less sun exposed (p=0.001), highly educated (p=0.020) and high socioeconomic status (p=0.007) bearing and in subjects having relatively fair skin complexion (p=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Serum vitamin D levels of study population were below normal and were associated with female gender, less physical activity, indoor jobs, less sun exposure, higher education and higher socioeconomic class and relatively fair skin complexion.