Association between vitamin D status and lifestyle factors in Brazilian women: Implications of Sun Exposure Levels, Diet, and Health

The Effects of Latitude and Temperate Weather on Vitamin D Deficiency and Women's Reproductive Health: A Scoping Review

“…Although tropical countries have higher exposure to favorable solar radiation for vitamin D synthesis, whether due to latitude or to favorable atmospheric conditions, a cross‐sectional study of healthy Brazilian women found that although the average concentration of 25(OH)D3 was within the normal range, 15.8% had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Overall, people with darker skin color had lower vitamin D levels 4 . Skin pigmentation is a limiting factor for the production of vitamin D; this has special significance for people with darker skin color who live in northern countries where there is little sun exposure or who cover their skin and avoid the sun.…”

“…Latitude, season, and prevailing climate conditions are some of the environmental factors contributing to the availability of UV radiation for vitamin D production. Although UV radiation is sufficient for vitamin D synthesis year round, at 35° latitude and higher (north and south) there are reports that vitamin D deficiency is high 4 …”

“…Vitamin D deficiency has been described as a pandemic, given that vitamin D is essential for human health and vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in both high‐latitude and low‐latitude regions. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency may be related to sun exposure behaviors 4 . In higher latitudes, those temperate zones on the Earth located between the tropics and the Arctic or Antarctic Circles, the intensity of UV rays is insufficient for proper vitamin D synthesis, especially during the winter months 9 .…”

“…Although UV radiation is sufficient for vitamin D synthesis year round, at 35°latitude and higher (north and south) there are reports that vitamin D deficiency is high. 4 Vitamin D is a liposoluble vitamin mainly coming from sunlight exposure and is naturally found only in some foods, including fish liver oil, fatty fishes, mushrooms, eggs, and liver; there are 2 physiologically active forms of vitamin D, called ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Vitamin D3 is produced subcutaneously in people.…”

“…The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency may be related to sun exposure behaviors. 4 In higher latitudes, those temperate zones on the Earth located between the tropics and the Arctic or Antarctic Circles, the intensity of UV rays is insufficient for proper vitamin D synthesis, especially during the winter months. 9 Greater exposure times are needed to achieve sufficient vitamin levels, ranging from approximately 65 minutes in Austin, Texas (30°N), to approximately 105 minutes in Anchorage, Alaska (60°N).…”