Vitamin D status in general healthy population of Jazan region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Jerah; Anil Kumar Bidwai

Volume : VI, Issue : I, January - 2017

Vitamin D status in general healthy population of Jazan region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Jerah, Anil Kumar Bidwai

Abstract :

The status of vitamin D in the general healthy population of Jazan region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was evaluated. Five hundred and eight healthy male and female subjects above the age of 12 years were randomly selected from the region. The study subjects were divided into groups on the basis of age and sex. Vitamin D sufficiency was defined as a serum level of 25(OH)-D ≥ 30 ng/mL. The level between 20-29 ng/mL was considered as insufficient whereas that below 20 ng/mL as deficient. Out of 508 study participants, ~29% were found deficient and ~57% were found insufficient. The study subjects sufficient for vitamin D were only ~14%. The deficiency appears to correlate with age as a greater number of subjects >40 years of age were found to be deficient or insufficient for the vitamin. The deficiency is more prevalent in females compared to males. Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency appears to be a major health concern in Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. In this study more than 85% of the studied general population exhibited deficiency/insufficiency of vitamin D.