Vitamin d status and anthropometric indices of an Omani study population

Abstract EN

Objectives : serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations reflect vitamin D status, with deficiency implicated as causative of many diseases.

This study assessed vitamin D status and anthropometric indices in a sample of healthy Omanis.

Methods: Serum 25(OH) D concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography in 206 healthy Omanis, aged 18–55 years (mean age : men 31.1, women 26.8) in Muscat, Oman.

Of this number, 95 % indicated that they had never taken vitamin D supplements.

Findings were compared with published values for populations domiciled in more northerly latitudes.

Classical procedures were used to determine global obesity (body mass index [BMI]), and central obesity determined by waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio.

Results : Women, as compared to men, had markedly lower concentrations of 25(OH)D.

Applying the cut-off point of serum 25(OH)D levels at 50 nmol / L, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the study population was 87.5 % ; this was higher than the rates reported for the British, and European-, Hispanic-, and African-Americans.

At a BMI cut-point of ≥ 30 kg / m 2, the prevalence of obesity was 14.6 % this was lower than the rates reported for European-, Hispanic-, and African-Americans.

Levels of 25 (OH) D increased relative to age and obesity.

WHR was the main predictor of 25(OH) D levels.

Conclusion : the striking vitamin D deficiency seen in the study population, relative to more northerly populations, may be linked to sun avoidance, inadequate dietary vitamin D, and virtual non-intake of supplemental vitamin D.

Age and male-gender determined the status of vitamin D and of obesity.