Prevention of vitamin D insufficiency in Switzerland: A never-ending story

Lava, Sebastiano A. G.; Simonetti, Giacomo D.; Bianchetti, Alessandra A.; Ferrarini, Alessandra; Bianchetti, Mario G.

doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.08.068

Cited by 10 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Dichotomous data were presented as absolute and relative frequency. Concentrations of total 25-hydroxy-vitamin D were considered adequate if ≥50 nmol/L–≤250 nmol/L, insufficient if <50 nmol/L, deficient if <30 nmol/L or potentially toxic if >250 nmol/L [11]. Anthropometric, lifestyle and further laboratory characteristics of the subjects with adequate (50–250 nmol/L) and insufficient (<50 nmol/L) 25-hydroxy-vitamin D values were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D Status Among Male Late Adolescents Living in Southern Switzerland: Role of Body Composition and Lifestyle

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Poor vitamin D status is a worldwide health problem. Yet, knowledge about vitamin D status among adolescents in Southern Europe is limited. This study investigated concentrations and modulating factors of vitamin D in a healthy population of male late adolescents living in Southern Switzerland. Methods: All apparently healthy subjects attending for the medical evaluation before the compulsory military service in Southern Switzerland during 2014-2016 were eligible. Dark-skin subjects, subjects on vitamin D supplementation or managed with diseases or drugs involved in vitamin D metabolism were excluded. Anthropometric measurements (body height, weight, fat percentage, mid-upper arm and waist circumference) and blood sampling for total 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, total cholesterol and ferritin concentrations testing, were collected. Participants filled in a structured questionnaire addressing their lifestyle. Characteristics of the subjects with adequate (≥50 nmol/L–≤250 nmol/L) and insufficient (<50 nmol/L) vitamin D values were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test or χ2 test. Odds ratios for 25-hydroxy-vitamin D insufficiency were calculated by univariate and AIC-selected multiple logistic regression models. Results: A total of 1045 subjects volunteered to participate in the study. Insufficient concentrations of vitamin D were detected in 184 (17%). The season of measurement was the most significant factor associated with vitamin D levels and approximately 40% of subjects presented insufficient vitamin D concentrations in winter. After model selection, body fat percentage, frequency and site of recreational physical activity, and the seasonality were significantly associated with the risk of vitamin D insufficiency. Conclusions: Among healthy male late adolescents in Southern Switzerland, about one every fourth subject presents a poor vitamin D status in non-summer seasons. Body fat percentage, frequent and outdoor recreational physical activity are modulating factors of vitamin D status in this population.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D Status Among Male Late Adolescents Living in Southern Switzerland: Role of Body Composition and Lifestyle

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Severe deficiency can induce rickets or osteomalacia due to abnormal bone mineralization [2][3][4]. Vitamin D also seems involved in cancer, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases prevention [3,[5][6][7][8] and, in children, hypovitaminosis D has additionally been associated to respiratory infections, asthma and eczema [1,3,8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypovitaminosis D in migrant children in Switzerland: a retrospective study

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is essentially known for its role in the phosphocalcic metabolism and its associated pathologies, such as rickets. In Switzerland, 35 to 50% of children are vitamin D deficient. Due to skin colour, poor nutrition, living conditions and cultural practices, migrant population is particularly at risk. Our aim is to attest the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in children arriving in Switzerland. We retrospectively assessed 528 children’s vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone, phosphate and calcium levels between 2015 and 2018 by electrochemiluminescence and spectrophotometry. Cholecalciferol was considered insufficient under 50 nmol/L and severely deficient below 25 nmol/L. Seventy-three percent of children showed hypovitaminosis D and 28% had a severe deficiency. Highest prevalence of deficiency was found in children from Eastern Mediterranean (80%) and African regions (75%). Severe deficiency was more prevalent in the South East Asian (39%) and Eastern Mediterranean regions (33%) and more frequent in females. Deficiency was more frequent and more severe in winter. Hypovitaminosis D increased with age. Two children presented with all three biological manifestations associated to severe hypovitaminosis D (hyperparathyroidism, hypocalcaemia and hypophosphatemia).Conclusion: A majority of migrant children presented with hypovitaminosis D. They should be supplemented to prevent complications. A strategy could be to supplement all children at arrival and during wintertime without regular vitamin D level checks. What is Known:Hypovitaminosis D is frequent in children and can lead to bone-related complications.Migrant children are particularly at risk of deficiency. What is New:Three-quarters of migrant children evaluated at our migrant clinic in Geneva’s children hospital are deficient in vitamin D, one third severely.A strategy to correct the deficiency would be to supplement all migrant children at arrival and in winter.

show abstract

“…In addition to the statistics of Tables 1 and 2 , strongly satisfied and satisfied items of the Likert scale, when added together, formed a scale of satisfaction opposite to the dissatisfaction scale (neglecting the “neutral” item) as previously described. 8 The P -values obtained from a global test for Tables 1 and 2 by independent Student’s t -test was significant ( P <0.0001 and P <0.009, respectively).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Matching medical student achievement to learning objectives and outcomes: a paradigm shift for an implemented teaching module

Atta

AlQahtani

2018

AMEP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionLow student achievement in a basic imaging module was the impetus for an assessment of the module.MethodsA valid, reliable, and structured Likert scale was designed to measure the degree of student satisfaction with the domains of the module, including learning objectives (LO), teaching strategy and tools (TT), assessment tools (AT), and allotted credit hours (CH). Further analysis was conducted of student dissatisfaction to determine the subdomain in which module improvement was to be implemented. Statistical analysis of data among Likert scale domains was conducted.ResultsLikert scale data showed the TT domain to be the major reason for low student achievement. Statistical studies revealed 57/117 students (48.6%) were dissatisfied with TT, compared with LO 16/117 (13.6%), AT 54/117 (46.1%), and CH 12/117 (10.2%). Significant P-values were obtained for LO vs TT (P<0.0001), LO vs AT (P<0.0001), LO vs CH (P<0.03), TT vs CH (P<0.0001), and AT vs CH (P<0.0001). No significant difference was observed between TT and AT (P<0.29). Regarding TT, 41/117 (34.9%) students were dissatisfied with lectures (L) compared to hospital-based teaching (HPT) 24/117 (20%), problem-based learning (PBL) 8/117 (6.8%), self-directed learning (SDL) 3/117 (2.5%), and seminars (S) 4/117 (3.4%). Significant P-values were obtained for L vs HPT (P<0.0001), L vs PBL (P<0.0001), L vs SDL (P<0.0001), L vs S (P<0.0001), HPT vs PBL (P<0.002), HPT vs SDL (P<0.0001), and HPT vs S (P<0.0001). Regarding lecture modifications, student satisfaction was 78.3% compared to 52% before modification. A significant P-value (P<0.0001) was obtained between Likert scale domains before and after modification. Lecture modification resulted in a good student response and satisfaction.ConclusionThe major reason for low student achievement was the teaching tools, particularly the lectures. Major modifications to lectures improved student achievement. The students and most of the teaching staff were highly satisfied with the modifications, which provided for reciprocal discussion and interaction. These results should encourage and guide other medical schools to investigate the points of weakness in their curriculum.

show abstract

Prevention of vitamin D insufficiency in Switzerland: A never-ending story

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Vitamin D Status Among Male Late Adolescents Living in Southern Switzerland: Role of Body Composition and Lifestyle

Vitamin D Status Among Male Late Adolescents Living in Southern Switzerland: Role of Body Composition and Lifestyle

Hypovitaminosis D in migrant children in Switzerland: a retrospective study

Matching medical student achievement to learning objectives and outcomes: a paradigm shift for an implemented teaching module

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About