Vitamin D deficiency is rising as a serious public health issue, affecting a major section of the population across the world. Considering the numerous health implications of vitamin D deficiency, it is of dire significance to identify this epidemic and work for its eradication. The women in the tea plantations are among the most vulnerable groups in Assam and are reported to have the highest mortality rate in the state. The present study is conducted to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among women in the tea plantations of Assam. An attempt is also made to study the factors correlated with the vitamin D status of women. 370 working women are selected from two tea estates of Assam. Serum vitamin D status is assessed. Socio-economic background, morbidity profile, sunning practice, substance (alcohol and tobacco) abuse pattern and dietary intake is obtained through a standard protocol. The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is at the rate of 69.50 percent. Vitamin D status of women suffering from disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic fatigue, and body pain is significantly lower than healthy women. A significant correlation between the vitamin D status and clothing pattern, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and dietary intake of the women is observed. This study extrapolates the urgency to recognize vitamin D deficiency as a serious epidemic prevailing among women. The various factors identified to exaggerate the deficiency need to be brought to light through proper awareness and health education. HIGHLIGHTS mThe impact of vitamin D deficiency is precarious among women residing in tea plantations of Assam. m Sunning pattern, tobacco and alcohol consumption and dietary intake have been identified as major contributors to the deficiency. m Proper nutrition education and awareness is necessary to reduce the impact of the determinants of the deficiency.
Lifestyle and dietary factors play a major role in maintaining and regulating the concentration of 1, 25dihydroxyvitamin D in the body. The study was conducted on 350 women (aged 18-45 years), considering the significance of vitamin D in the health of women of reproductive age. 1, 25dihydroxyvitamin D concentration was assessed using enzyme immunoassay method and chemiluminescence. Dietary history was assessed through 24-hour recall method and a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire for vitamin D and calcium intake. Data on lifestyle practices, including sun exposure pattern was recorded using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results revealed that the 1, 25dihydroxyvitamin D concentration of tobacco and alcohol consumers were 19.87±3.78 ng/ml and 19.67±5.43 ng/ml, respectively, which were much below the normal range for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration (30 ng/ml). Data on dietary intake showed that 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration of both non-vegetarian and non-vegetarian were much below the normal range (18.67±7.66 ng/ml and 19.93±5.31 ng/ml, respectively). Correlation analysis between vitamin D concentration and dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium revealed a significant positive association between the two (p<0.05), indicating decrease in dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium led to the decrease in serum vitamin D concentration. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that 34.45 per cent of the total variability on the 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D concentration was determined by dietary intake of vitamin D and 35.12 per cent of the total variability of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was determined by dietary calcium intake, respectively Thus, the present study shows that the low concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyviatmin D was attributed to lifestyle practices like tobacco and alcohol abuse and inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium. The need of the hour is to sensitize the women about the significance of lifestyle and dietary attributes in improving the concentration of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D and hence, preventing vitamin D related disorder especially pertaining to this age group.
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