he present work was carried out to study the vitamin D status among first grade university female students.125First grade university apparently healthy female youth who were attending Helwan University were conveniently selected. A written consent was obtained. They were subjected to: anthropometric measurements, Dietary assessment by 24 hours dietary recall, frequency food sheet, and laboratory evaluation of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. The energy and nutrients' content were analyzed using the food composition table of the National Nutrition Institute.Food intake was also compared to the recommended dietary allowances by WHO/FAO.This result revealed that 53.0% of the participants were interviewed in autumn; of them 26.0% had normal serum vitamin D level, 62.0% had insufficient values and 12.0% had their results in the deficient range.40.0% of participants were interviewed in spring and their vitamin D results had nearly the same distribution. In addition to there was a significant correlation between vitamin D metabolic state and season of the year.This study concluded that there was a high prevalence of low vitamin D levels among a group of apparently healthy university undergraduate in Helwan University in Cairo, Egypt. There is an urgent need for public education about the vital role of vitamin D to minimize the complications of its deficiency.This study emphasized the need for further vitamin D assessment and interventions targeted at all people.

he research was carried out to study the effect of some personal, behavioral, and environmental factors on vitamin D level amonguniversity female undergraduates in Egypt.A convenient sample consisted of125 first grade Egyptianuniversity female youth was selected. Written consentswerean initial basic step. They filled aknowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) pre-structured questionnaire and were subjected to dietary assessmentusing 24 hours recall, frequencypattern, and milk consumption sheets. Laboratory evaluation of vitamin D and related indicators were measured. Food intake was analyzed and compared to the recommended dietary allowances using the food composition table of the National Nutrition Institute and based on WHO/FAO recommendations. Resultsrevealed that majority of respondents (96.0%) were veiled and 88.0 % were exposed to sun at noon time. Face and hands were the exposed parts in 96.0% of responses and 56.0 % mentioned that sun-exposure took more than an hour. Exposure to pesticides was mentioned in 16.0% of responses. Nearly two thirds were exposed to sun while windows were closed. Only 22.0% heard about vitamin D and two thirds considered milk among un-favored food items. This study concluded that to track progress toward getting rid of a health problem, we have to raise the level of awareness of youth and young adults about this problem.This study emphasized the need for further vitamin D assessment and interventions targeted at all people. There is an urgent need for public education about the vital role of vitamin D to improve vitamin D-related practice and to minimize the complications of its deficiency.

he level of air pollution is negatively associated with the amount of solar ultraviolet ray B (UVB) that reaches earth surface. So, more pollutant areas lead to less UVB passage and consequently, 25 (OH) vitamin D cutaneous syntheses reduces. The research was carried out to study the effect of some biological, behavioral, and environmental factors on vitamin D level among college adolescent females from Red Sea and Giza governorates. A convenient sample consisted of 151 first grade university female youth was selected. Written consent was an initial basic step. Vitamin D intake was assessed and serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D], and parathyroid hormone (PTH), were measured. Food intake was compared to the recommended dietary allowances. Results revealed that majority of respondents (92.0%) were veiled and exposed to sun at noon time and 61.0 % mentioned that sun-exposure took more than an hour. Waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WC to Ht) in Giza sample and increased fish consumption per week in Red Sea sample showed a positive effect on vitamin D status. Spring season had a negative influential effect on Giza participants. This study concluded that lack of sun exposure as the main cause of vitamin D deficiency in college female, there is also limited awareness of the association between sun exposure and vitamin D synthesis. Fresh air and good food practices could aid in solving health problems with such an influence as hypovitaminosis D. This study emphasized the need for further vitamin D assessment and intervention by supplementation or fortification of a staple food item. There is also an urgent need for public education to improve vitamin D-related practice and to minimize health hazards of improper exposure to UV B rays.

eliac disease (CD) seems to be a considerable health disorder in Egypt. However, no full data on patients' current situation concerning main presentation, tools commonly used for diagnosis, extent of adherence to gluten free diet (GFD), and long-term monitoring plan. This study was undertaken to investigate these important management issues. Design: A convenient sample of 72records was selected for those who were referred to the outpatient clinic of National Nutrition Institute (NNI) for prescribing a gluten-free diet for them and attended nutrition education sessions at NNI.Data was collected to evaluate patients' current situation concerning main presenting manifestations, tools commonly used for diagnosis, and extent of adherence to gluten free diet. Results: 72.0% of cases were mainly in infancy and childhood age and number of referred girls/females was nearly double that of boys/males. Vomiting/diarrhea represented main manifestations (63.0%) and weight loss/failure to thrive was the next common (31.0%). Anemia was also common (25.0%). Anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA (anti-tTG) IgA (46.0%) and endoscopy (40.0%) were the main investigating tools.Duodenal biopsy was takenin 22.0% out of these 40.0% and villous lesion of various degrees was reported in only 22.0% out of these 40.0%. Quantitative assessment of Gluten Free Diet (GFD) adequacy showed multiple micronutrients' insufficiency. Consumption of apparent and hidden gluten sources was dramatically decreased following the nutrition education and training sessions. The shortage in availability of gluten-free products and their high cost were among main obstacles. Conclusion and Recommendations: The only treatment for celiac disease, at present, is a strict gluten-free diet for life. There is an urgent need to increase awareness among primary health care physicians and pediatricians about the wide diversity of clinical manifestations and the role of serological testing in the diagnosis of celiac disease.Governmental support for providing GF products is mandatory for proper GF adherence and for improving nutrients' adequacy.