Gaining Weight During the Lifetime Can Alter Vitamin D Status

Abstract

In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the traditional diet characterized by high fiber content and low fat, however, the diet in the Saudi Arabia has changed dramatically over the last two decades and has become more western fast food, which is lower in vitamin, and mineral, this unbalance diet can lead to obesity. Obesity is one of the major problems in Saudi Arabia, especially among women.Gaining weight since 18 years and became Obese in later life usually have inadequate vitamin D status due to the decrease vitamin D bioavailability from the cutaneous. In this study we examine whether the current and weight at 18 years can alter vitamin D status among a healthy Saudis' women. The participants were recruited as they presented their regular clinical check‐ups, and their blood was drawn. Their ages ranged between 20 and 75 years, the bio‐samples were taken from June 2009 through August 2009 (n=120). We hypothesized that women who maintained stable weight over time had a higher circulating of 25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)2D3) compared to those who gained weight. The result: Women who gain weight during their lifetime have low vitamin D level compared to that maintains stable weight.