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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Effect of physical activity and sun exposure on vitamin D status of Saudi children and adolescents
BMC Pediatrics, Volume 12, Article 589, Year 2012
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Description
Background: Accumulating evidence suggests an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Middle East. In this context, we aimed to determine whether the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is related to degree of physical activity and sun exposure among apparently healthy Saudi children and adolescents, a little studied population.Methods: A total of 331 Saudi children aged 6-17 years (153 boys and 178 girls) were included in this cross sectional study. Levels of physical activity and sun exposure were determined using a standard questionnaire. Anthropometry, serum calcium and 25-(OH) vitamin D were analyzed.Results: All subjects were vitamin D deficient, the majority being moderately deficient (71.6%). Age was the single most significant predictor affecting 25 (OH) Vitamin D levels, explaining 21% of the variance perceived (p = 1.68 x 10-14). Age-matched comparisons revealed that for groups having the same amount of sun exposure, those with moderate or are physically active will have higher levels of vitamin D status, though levels in across groups remained deficient.Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common among Saudi children and adolescents, and is influenced by both sun exposure and physical activity. Promotion of an active outdoor lifestyle among Saudi children in both homes and schools may counteract the vitamin D deficiency epidemic in this vulnerable population. Vitamin D supplementation is suggested in all groups, including those with the highest sun exposure and physical activity. © 2012 Al-Othman et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Al-Othman, Abdulaziz M.
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
College of Applied Medical Sciences
Al-Musharaf, Sara
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Al-Daghri, N. Mohammad
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Krishnaswamy, Soundararajan
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Yusuf, Deqa S.
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Alkharfy, Khalid Mohammad
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
al-Saleh, Yousef M.
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Al-Attas, Omar Salem
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Alokail, Majed Saleh
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Moharram, Osama A.
Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
King Abdulaziz University
Sabico, Shaun
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Chrousos, George Panagiotis
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud University
Greece, Athens
School of Medicine
Statistics
Citations: 146
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1471-2431-12-92
e-ISSN:
14712431
Research Areas
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Participants Gender
Male
Female