Knowledge about health benefits of vitamin D in Queensland Australia

BackgroundThe 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.MethodsSaudi 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionsThe 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.

show abstract

“…We observed a significantly higher vitamin D deficiency in girls as compared to boys supporting various studies [13-15]. …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…For instance, the Australian surveys showed a limited awareness and understanding about vitamin D in the adults [13]. There are studies from different parts of Saudi Arabia demonstrating that a limited knowledge and awareness about vitamin D could be a potential reason for vitamin D deficiency among female students [14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D status in Saudi school children based on knowledge

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Such information would be of interest for practitioners and public health institutions to improve the communication regarding VitD. Previous studies performed in several countries (mostly targeting specific groups) showed that VitD-related knowledge was limited [19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36]. To our knowledge, no study was performed in a large European sample from the general population and few linked VitD-related knowledge to various individual characteristics (including measured VitD status).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Do People Know and Believe about Vitamin D?

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

People have been exposed to a lot of information regarding vitamin D, with evidence suggesting that vitamin D may be involved in numerous health conditions, subsequently creating concerns about vitamin D insufficiency. As a result, what do people really know or believe about this topic? In this cross-sectional study, we assessed vitamin D-related knowledge and beliefs in 59,273 French adults (NutriNet-Santé cohort) using a specific questionnaire. Answers to this questionnaire were weighted according to the French sociodemographic distribution and compared across individual characteristics, using χ2-tests. Physicians and media were identified as key information providers. Participants did not always accurately cite vitamin D sources (e.g., 72% only for sun exposure, fatty fish: 61%) or established health effects (e.g., bone health: 62%–78%). Conversely, they mentioned incorrect sources and health effects for which there is no consensus yet (e.g., skin cancer). These findings were modulated by age/generational and socioeconomic factors. A strong inconsistency was also observed between participants’ true vitamin D status (plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration) and their opinion about it. This study, the first in Europe with such a large sample, stresses the need for simple and up-to-date supports of communication for the public and healthcare professionals regarding sources and health effects of vitamin D.

show abstract

“…Data on knowledge among the general public, and older people in particular, about vitamin D and calcium is scarce. Studies that have been conducted are generally telephone-or online-surveys among relatively young individuals [6][7][8] . To our knowledge, no study has specifically evaluated knowledge on vitamin D and calcium among older people or, examined the association between knowledge, vitamin D status and calcium intake.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Better knowledge on vitamin D and calcium in older people is associated with a higher serum vitamin D level and a higher daily dietary calcium intake

Oudshoorn

Hartholt

Leeuwen

et al. 2011

Health Education Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine knowledge on vitamin D and calcium in a cohort of older adults and to test the association between health knowledge, vitamin D status and dietary calcium intake. Methods Conclusion:Given the poor knowledge on vitamin D and calcium and the observed associations, improving health knowledge could be a possible intervention to improve vitamin D status and calcium intake in older people. Further studies are needed to assess whether education will indeed lead to improvement of vitamin D levels and calcium intake in this age group.

show abstract

Knowledge about health benefits of vitamin D in Queensland Australia

Cited by 20 publications

References 10 publications

Vitamin D status in Saudi school children based on knowledge

Vitamin D status in Saudi school children based on knowledge

What Do People Know and Believe about Vitamin D?

Better knowledge on vitamin D and calcium in older people is associated with a higher serum vitamin D level and a higher daily dietary calcium intake

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About