Vitamin D Status and Bone Mineral Density of Veiled and Unveiled Turkish Women

Abstract

The aim of the study is to compare vitamin D status and bone mineral density (BMD) in veiled and unveiled healthy Turkish women of reproductive age. Thirty young to middle-aged volunteer veiled women and 30 age-matched control subjects with western clothing habits were enrolled in the study. The two groups had similar dietary habits, body mass index (BMI) distribution, and gestational history. Physical and laboratory examinations were performed to rule out any disease that could affect bone metabolism. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels were measured, and BMD of the spine and hip were investigated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The mean age of dressing the veil was 15.7 +/- 6.13 years, and 66.7% of the veiled women claimed that they were not ever exposed to direct sunlight, as they were leading an indoor life. Compared with the control group, veiled women were less educated and physically less active (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). 25-OHD levels were positively correlated with exposure to sunlight and negatively correlated with the duration of being veiled. None of the veiled women had vitamin D insufficiency, but their mean 25-OHD concentration (33.1 +/- 16 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that of controls (53.9 +/- 27.3 ng/ml) (p < or = 0.001), and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were higher (p < 0.01). Differences in the absolute BMD values at the spine and hip were not statistically significant, but the mean Z value at the lumbar spine was significantly lower in the veiled subjects (p < 0.05). Veiled women have low 25-OHD status, and vitamin D supplementation should strictly be advised to these women for the prevention of osteomalacia and osteoporosis.

Low serum 25(OH)D levels are assocıated to hıgher BMI and metabolic syndrome parameters in adult subjects in Turkey

“…. There have been prevalence studies on 25(OH)D deficiency and/or insufficiency in the Turkish population 25 , and most have been performed on women, people in nursing homes, and the elderly [26][27][28] . Also, obesity leads to many health problems worldwide.…”

Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis in Iran: A Systematic Review

“…The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among women, youngsters and high school students, especially girls, has been found by recent studies in Isfahan and Tehran [33,34,35]. Although it has been found that veiled women have a low vitamin D status [36], a major changing lifestyle trend during the past decades, there is spread of urbanization, indoor living, air pollution, changes in diet, widespread use of sun screens, avoiding sun exposure for fear of skin cancer and concern about skin beauty, all of which are thought to cause vitamin D deficiency, with the latter two being more prevalent among females. Moreover, Iranian women spend less time in the sun, compared to men, which could also lead to vitamin D deficiency, but is independent of wearing a hijab or veil and therefore is mostly due to culture and lifestyle.…”

Serum Level of Some Minerals during Three Trimesters of Pregnancy in Iranian Women and Their Newborns: A Longitudinal Study

“…In general, vitamin D deficiency was prominent in people living in high latitudes, during the winter season, the use of sunscreens and people who wear cultural clothing such as veiling and concealing clothing. Concealed clothing blocks the absorbance of UV light therefore fails to produce vitamin D. Furthermore, Iranian women spend less time outdoor over men, which make them and their children more prone to the deficiency [31].…”