Introduction:Vitamin D has a basic role in bone growth and metabolism and has been noticed for its important role in many diseases, such as diabetes, depression, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Regarding some studies, detection of vitamin D deficiency in different places has important implication for health. This study determined prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Arak, a centrally located city in Iran.Materials and Methods:Based upon a cross-sectional study in 2010, 420 students 10--16 years old including 220 girls and 200 boys, studied at Arak secondary schools, were selected by a multistage sampling. The level of 25 (OH) D and PTH (parathormone) was measured and also the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in different intensities was evaluated and compared between girls and boys by the Student t-test. Vitamin D deficiency for the students was categorized into three intensities based on three levels of 25 (OH) D: mild deficiency - 15 ≤ 25 (OH) D < 20 ng/ml, moderate deficiency -- 8 ≤ 25 (OH) < 15 ng/ml, severe deficiency - 25 (OH) <8 ng/ml. The relationship between the 25 (OH) D and PTH was assessed by Scatter chart to define cut-off points for vitamin D deficiency.Results:Based on 25 (OH) D < 20 ng/ml, 84% of the students had vitamin D deficiency including 60.7% mild, 22.4% moderate, and 0.7% severe. Three local cut-off points including 13, 21, and 33 ng/ml were defined in the Scatter chart. The results showed that the deficiency of vitamin D in girls is much more than that in boys (P = 0.05).Conclusion:The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency could be probably a result of different etiologies. We recommended that people should be encouraged to take vitamin D and calcium supplements and also they should have more exposure to the sunlight.

Whole-wheat can have positive effect on blood parameters, such as blood sugar and fat profiles, in patients with diabetic. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of whole-wheat breads on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study population included men and women with T2D aged 30 years old and over in Arak, Iran. Using random sampling method, 60 patients with T2D were selected and randomly divided into control and intervention groups. After taking blood samples from the patients, the intervention group was administered 180 g of wholegrain wheat for 12 weeks. The participants were asked not to change their diets and amounts of physical activity during the study period. After 12 weeks, blood samples were taken and insulin resistance indexes, blood glucose levels, and lipid profiles were examined. The results indicated that consumption of whole-wheat bread for 12 weeks can significantly reduce body weight, and HbA1c, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels, and increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels (P<0.05). However, in the control group, changes in body weight, body mass index, HbA1c, total cholesterol, HDL-c, and LDL-c levels did not significantly differ before and after the intervention period (P>0.05). As consumption of whole-wheat bread has positive effects on control of various physical and biochemical indictors in patients with diabetes, its consumption should be included in educational programs at health centers across the country.

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