Vitamin D status in Saudi school children based on knowledge

BMC Pediatrics

George P Chrousos²  Majed S Alokail⁵  Abdulaziz M Al-Othman¹  Hanan Alfawaz⁴  Nasiruddin Khan³  Nasser M Al-Daghri³  Yousef Al-Saleh⁵ 

[1] College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;First Department of Pediatrics, Athens University Medical School, Athens 11527, Greece;Biomarkers Research Program Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;Prince Mutaib Bin Abdullah Chair on Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

关键词: Gender;    Teacher;    Physicians;    Sunlight;    Awareness;    Hypovitaminosis D;   

Others  :  1203847
DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-015-0369-9

 received in 2014-10-15, accepted in 2015-04-24,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rising unexpectedly in every age group. Apart from several risk factors, the lack of awareness is posing a serious threat for low vitamin D levels in children as well. The aim of our study was to compare the knowledge and status of vitamin D in Saudi school children.

Methods

Saudi students, 1188 boys (15.1 ± 2.2 years) and 1038 girls (15.1 ± 2.0 years), were recruited and a pre-designed questionnaire with regards to knowledge about vitamin D was administered. Blood samples were collected and serum 25hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D was measured.

Results

A significantly higher percentage of boys answered correctly than girls regarding knowledge questions as sun exposure (p = 0.002, and 0.011), breastfeeding (p < 0.001) and diseases (p < 0.001). The percentage of girls was significantly higher who thought that fruits and vegetables are not rich sources of vitamin D (24.7% girls vs. 15.4% boys; p < 0.001and 29.6% girls vs. 20.9% boys p < 0.001), respectively. Boys had a higher prevalence and frequency of sun exposure than girls (p < 0.001 for both). Girls showed a significantly higher percentage of sunscreen use and full covering during sun exposure (p = 0.001 for both).Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in girls than boys (47.0% versus 19.4.0%; p < 0.001). Vitamin D status in boys was significantly higher than girls (p < 0.001). In girls, those who answered correctly about vitamin D related disease (p = 0.03) and sources (p = 0.015), demonstrated significantly higher vitamin D levels.

Conclusions

The awareness of vitamin D and sunlight in children needs to be improved by provision of trained physicians and school teachers. Creating more areas where girls can uncover freely during routine works and outdoor activities will help increase their vitamin D levels.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Al-Saleh et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

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