Sun Exposure Behaviors and Vitamin D Status in Healthy Adults

Background: Vitamin D status is highly associated with behavioral factors such as sun exposure patterns. The present study aimed to determine sun exposure behaviors and vitamin D status among healthy adults in Shiraz, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۲۰۱ healthy individuals aged ۲۰-۴۰ years were randomly selected from different areas of Shiraz, Iran. Demographic characteristics, vitamin D intake through diet or supplements, and sun exposure habits were assessed and also serum ۲۵-hydroxyvitamin D (۲۵(OH)D) concentration was measured.Results: The mean concentration of serum ۲۵(OH)D was ۲۱.۴۳±۹.۲ ng/mL. There were no significant associations between ۲۵(OH)D level and sun exposure habits except wearing long-sleeve shirts (p=۰.۰۱۰). However, in the participants who did not take vitamin D supplements, serum ۲۵(OH)D level had a negative association with sunscreen use(p=۰.۰۴۵), frequent use of sunscreen (p=۰.۰۴۵), and wearing long-sleeve shirts (p=۰.۰۲۳), and positive correlation with duration (p=۰.۰۴۵) and time of sun exposure (p=۰.۰۲۶) and the percentage of body surface area exposed to the sun (r=۰.۲۴۵, p=۰.۰۱۰).Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem among healthy young adults in Shiraz, Iran, and sun exposure habits can affect vitamin D status only among the participants who did not take vitamin D supplements.

کلیدواژه ها:

Vitamin D ، ۲۵(OH)D ، Sun exposure ، Sunscreen ، Body surface area