Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in Abu Dhabi Emirati population

• Published in: PloS one 2022-02, Vol.17 (2), p.e0264064-e0264064
• Main Authors: Al Zarooni, Amal Abdul Rahim, Nagelkerke, Nico, Al Marzouqi, Fatima Ibrahim, Al Darmaki, Salma Hamad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Biology and life sciences; Calciferol; Cardiovascular diseases; Consent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dairy products; Demographic aspects; Diet; Dietary intake; Distribution; Education; Exercise; Exercise - statistics & numerical data; Family medical history; Fatigue - epidemiology; Fatigue - etiology; Female; Fish oils; Food intake; Fractures; Health Promotion; Health risks; Humans; Kidney diseases; Life Style; Liver diseases; Male; Medical research; Medicine and health sciences; Nutrient deficiency; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - epidemiology; Pain; Physical activity; Physical sciences; Prevalence; Public health; Questionnaires; Regression analysis; Retrospective Studies; Risk analysis; Risk Factors; Salmon; Sex Characteristics; Social Sciences; Sun; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Arab Emirates - epidemiology; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - blood; Vitamin D deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - epidemiology; Vitamin deficiency; Womens health
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264064

There have been concerns regarding the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the United Arab Emirates and the association between this prevalence and cardiovascular risk. Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem, with a high prevalence in the Abu Dhabi national population. This cross-sectional retrospective observational study aimed to elucidate vitamin D deficiency symptoms and contributing factors in this context. Among 12346 participants presenting for their Weqaya population comprehensive cardiovascular risk factor screening, 700 were randomly selected and telephoned, among whom 400 completed a questionnaire that elicited information on dietary intake, sun exposure, clothing, physical activity, and symptoms related to vitamin D deficiency. Higher vitamin D levels were noted in participants who consumed extra servings of cod liver oil, tuna, salmon, and eggs; who wore clothes with their arms and legs exposed; and who performed daily physical activity. Symptoms of hypovitaminosis D (bone pain) were more frequently found in females. Fatigue is significantly associated with low vitamin D and younger participants. Strategies focusing on health promotion and lifestyle interventions should be implemented to address vitamin D deficiency.