Deficiencies under plenty of sun: Vitamin D status among adults in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2013

Abstract

Background:Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with several diseases and injuries including diabetes, osteoporosis, fractures, and falls. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), current data on vitamin D status are lacking.Aims:To inform Saudi public health authorities on the current status of blood levels vitamin D deficiency, we analyzed data from the Saudi Health Interview Survey.Materials and Methods:The Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS) is a cross-sectional national multistage survey of individuals aged 15 years and above on sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco consumption, diet, physical activity, health care utilization, different health-related behaviors, and self-reported chronic conditions. A total of 10,735 participants completed a health questionnaire and were invited to the local health clinics for biomedical exams.Results:62.65% of female Saudis and 40.6% of male Saudis aged 15 years and above are deficient in vitamin D. Out of them, less than 1% males and less than 2% females consume vitamin D supplements. Women who have never married and obese individuals are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D, compared to men who were currently married and nonobese individuals. Those consuming vitamin D supplements are less likely to be deficient in vitamin D.Conclusions:Our study showed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Saudi men and women, and the results call for an increased awareness to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D for better health in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, our findings are certainly relevant for other countries in the Gulf region or countries with similar cultures, clothing, and religions.

Prevalence and Predictors of Hypovitaminosis D Among Female University Students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

“…Moreover, the worryingly high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D observed here is in line with the findings of some previous studies in the Middle Eastern context, and specifically in Saudi Arabia, which also identified a high prevalence 17. For example, a recent cross-sectional research in Saudi Arabia using a sample of healthy female subjects aged 15 to 24 years revealed that 56.6% had vitamin D insufficiency 29. Along similar lines, a cross-sectional research in Qatar which used a sample of healthy female university students concluded that almost all the participants had vitamin D insufficiency (more precisely, the sample had a strikingly high prevalence of 97.2%) 30.…”

“…Other sources of dietary vitamin D include fortified foods (usually milk and other dairy products, margarine and spreads, and some breakfast cereals) and dietary supplements 46. However, prior research suggests that the fortification level present in dairy products is insufficient to prevent vitamin D deficiency,47 and that Saudi women rarely consume vitamin D supplements 29. Therefore, the design of effective policies able to encourage intakes which will support a healthy vitamin D status represents a strategic challenge for government.…”

Association between Vitamin D Status and Coronary Heart Disease among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Case-Control Study

“…Likewise, Alsuwaida et al stated that 50% of study participants had adequate vitamin D levels ≥ 30 ng/mL [38]. A national survey conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2013 among Saudis from both genders aged 15 years and above reported that vitamin D deficiency (<28 ng/mL) was prevalent among 40.6% of males and 62.6% of females [39]. …”

The Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies and Inadequacies in the Middle East and Approaches to Interventions

“…In a cross-sectional national survey, Tuffaha et al examined 10,735 Saudi patients aged ≥15 years and found that 40.6% of men had serum 25(OH)D < 70 nmol/L [39]. A retrospective study by Hussain et al reported similar data from 10,709 Saudi patients, with 40.2% and 53.5% of men ( n = 3363) reported as having vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency/inadequacy at 25(OH)D < 25 and 25–75 nmol/L, respectively [23].…”