Importance of Vitamin D and Vitamin D levels Status in Puerto Ricans

Abstract

There is growing and compelling evidence demonstrating the extra-skeletal role of vitamin D and the importance of maintaining adequate levels of this nutrient. Currently, there is very limited information available on the vitamin D status in children and adults in underserved groups, including Puerto Ricans. We assessed the vitamin D status of 4,090 Puerto Ricans living in six geographical regions in the island. Only 31.5% of the studied population had sufficient vitamin D levels (>30 ng/ml). The 18–39 year age group and the females showed inadequate (<30 ng/ml) levels of vitamin D (76.9% and 69.8%, respectively). Participants aged 60 or older showed the highest mean values of serum 25(OH)D (28.8 ng/ ml) and the highest percentage (37.1%) of suffi cient levels (>30 ng/ml). Future studies are certainly warranted to understand the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and influencing factors (including obesity) in Puerto Ricans.

Vitamin D status is inversely associated with obesity in a clinic-based sample in Puerto Rico

“…A study with a smaller sample (n=219) found that 60.3% had low vitamin D status (<30 ng/mL) [23], while in another study (n=4,090), 68.5% had low vitamin D [8]. However, individuals from the present study were different from other studies conducted in PR, as they were selected among an endocrinology health clinic attenders and thus were unlikely to be representative of all individuals from such area.…”

“…In the United States (US), 32% of the total population and 43% of the Hispanics had vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL [7]. Moreover, in a large sample of Puerto Ricans (n=4,090), 65.8% had vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL and 24.9% had levels below 20 ng/mL [8]. …”

“…In Puerto Rico (PR), the only study that has addressed this association among 94 overweight and obese adults found a significant inverse correlation of 25(OH)D levels with percent body fat [14]. Further research is needed, particularly in Hispanic populations, to understand the factors that contribute to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, such as obesity [8]. This is important as obesity is now recognized as one of the leading health threats worldwide [15], which is highly prevalent in Hispanics.…”

Low Vitamin D Serum Levels May Be a Modifiable Risk Factor for Obesity and Cognitive Impairment in Middle-Age Egyptian Women

“…Several studies reported that low VD status is highly prevalent worldwide, and the major determinants are sun exposure and vitamin D intake [25,26]. Another study reported that VD deficiency was highly prevalent among studied Saudi women who suffer from obesity, poor sunlight exposure and poor dietary VD supplementation [27].…”

Relation of Vitamin D Intake and Sun Exposure to Respiratory Conditions in Hispanics

“…Puerto Rico is not an exemption; a study using a large sample size (> 4090 of individuals) found vitamin D deficiency in 24.9% and vitamin D insufficiency in 43.6% [10]. Such high prevalence of low vitamin D status is present even though Puerto Rico is situated near the Equator, with sun exposure all year around and minimal seasonal changes.…”