Does a high UV environment ensure adequate vitamin D status?

J Photochem Photobiol B. 2007 Dec 14;89(2-3):139-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2007.09.008. Epub 2007 Sep 25.

Abstract

This study assesses the Vitamin D status of 126 healthy free-living adults aged 18-87 years, in southeast Queensland, Australia (27 degrees S) at the end of the 2006 winter. Participants provided blood samples for analysis of 25(OH)D (the measure of an individual's Vitamin D status), PTH, Calcium, Phosphate, and Albumin, completed a questionnaire on sun-protective/sun-exposure behaviours, and were assessed for phenotypic characteristics such as skin/hair/eye colour and BMI. We found that 10.2% of the participants had serum 25(OH)D levels below 25 nmol/l (considered deficient) and a further 32.3% had levels between 25 nmol/l and 50 nmol/l (considered insufficient). Our results show that low levels of 25(OH)D can occur in a substantial proportion of the population at the end of winter, even in a sunny climate. 25(OH)D levels were higher amongst those who spent more time in the sun and lower among obese participants (BMI>30) than those who were not obese (BMI<30). 25(OH)D levels were also lower in participants who had black hair, dark/olive skin, or brown eyes, when compared with participants who had brown or fair hair, fair skin, or blue/green eyes. No associations were found between 25(OH)D status and age, gender, smoking status, or the use of sunscreen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Mass Index
  • Calcium / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Eye Color
  • Female
  • Hair Color
  • Humans
  • Hydroxycholecalciferols / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Phosphates / blood
  • Queensland / epidemiology
  • Seasons
  • Serum Albumin / analysis
  • Skin Pigmentation
  • Sunlight
  • Ultraviolet Rays*
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology

Substances

  • Hydroxycholecalciferols
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Phosphates
  • Serum Albumin
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium