Period of Sun Exposure and Vitamin D Status among the Rural Elderly Women of West Bengal, India

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be prevalent among Indian elderly women. Aging has a significant association with decreased concentration of 7-dehydrocholesterol, the precursor of Vitamin D3 in the skin. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to find out the association between the period of sun exposure and serum 25(OH) D level among rural elderly women of West Bengal, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted among 236 elderly women aged between 60 and 70 years residing at Amdanga Block, North 24(th) Parganas district of West Bengal, India. They were assessed for their period of sun exposure and serum 25(OH) D level. RESULTS: The sun exposure index was low from sufficient to deficient Vitamin D status groups, but they were insignificant (P = 0.09). Spearman's correlation test revealed significant positive relationship (0.183 [P = 0.005]) between sun exposure and serum 25(OH) D level. CONCLUSION: Therefore, for maintaining optimum serum 25(OH) D level, adequate sun exposure for this population is needed, particularly for the individuals having suboptimal Vitamin D status.