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Vitamin D status in an ethnically diverse population of young Canadian adults
Author(s) -
GarcíaBailo Bibiana,
Badawi Alaa,
Brenner Darren,
Nielsen Daiva,
Lee HyeonJoo,
Karmali Mohamed A,
ElSohemy Ahmed
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.996.17
Subject(s) - medicine , vitamin d deficiency , ethnic group , demography , population , incidence (geometry) , dark skin , environmental health , vitamin d and neurology , sociology , physics , dermatology , anthropology , optics
Vitamin D deficiency, defined as serum 25(OH)D <27.5 nmol/L, has been linked to risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Vitamin D can be synthesized in the skin after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Individuals in latitudes with seasonal shortages of exposure to UV radiation are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially certain ethnic groups. The objective was to determine vitamin D status in an ethnically diverse population (n=1027) of young Canadian adults aged 20–29 years. We found overall differences in deficiency prevalence among different ethnic groups, with 44% of South Asians being deficient, compared to 6% of Caucasians and 16% of East Asians. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency varied by season. In winter, deficiency ranged from 12% in Caucasians, to 25% in East Asians and 51% in South Asians. In spring, deficiency was 1% in Caucasians, 4% in East Asians and 26% in South Asians. In summer, deficiency was 1% in Caucasians, 10% in East Asians and 50% in South Asians. In fall, deficiency was 9% in Caucasians, 35% in East Asians and 55% in South Asians. We have shown that vitamin D deficiency is common in young Canadian adults, particularly in South Asians. This deficiency may partly explain the high incidence of T2D and CVD in this group later in life. Research Support from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Advanced Foods and Materials Network.Grant Funding Source : Public Health Agency of Canada, Advanced Foods and Materials Network