Vitamin D status of middle-aged women at 65–71°N in relation to dietary intake and exposure to ultraviolet radiation

• Published in: Public Health Nutrition
• Main Authors: Brustad, M, Alsaker, E, Engelsen, O, Aksnes, L, Lund, E
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2004
• Subjects: Arctic; Norway; Northern Norway
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/phn2003536; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1368980004000357

Abstract Objective: To determine the vitamin D status of middle-aged women living in the Norwegian arctic and its relationship with vitamin D intake and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects and setting: This study is based on measurements of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in a sub-sample of the Norwegian component of the EPIC biological bank, which consists of blood samples from a random selection of participants in the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study. From November 2001 until June 2002, 309 blood samples were collected from a total of 443 invited middle-aged women (44–59 years) in northern Norway (65–71°N) (crude response rate, 69.8%). Questionnaire data provided information on dietary sources of vitamin D and UV exposure. Results: Median plasma 25(OH)D concentration for the whole group was 55.0 nmol l −1 (range 8.1–142.8 nmol l −1 ). Vitamin D intake was a significant predictor of 25(OH)D status ( P = 0.0003). The time of the year when the blood sample was collected significantly predicted plasma 25(OH)D level ( P = 0.005). Levels of 25(OH)D were positively associated ( P = 0.0002) with estimated hours per day of exposure to UV-B radiation. Residing in northern Norway during the summer prior to blood sampling was negatively associated with 25(OH)D concentration ( P = 0.001). The prevalence of moderate hypovitaminosis D was highest in January–February, when a quarter of the participants had 25(OH)D concentrations ≤37.5 nmol l −1 . Conclusions: Increased ingestion of marine food items that provide vitamin D should be promoted and further studies should be carried out to investigate vitamin D status in arctic populations in relation to both UV exposure and traditional food sources.