Sunlight exposure and vitamin D deficiency in Turkish women

Vitamin D is an essential steroid involved in bone metabolism, cell growth, differentiation, and regulation of the minerals in the body. The main sour ces of this vital vitamin are adequate diet and photosynthesis in the skin. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of vitamin D synth esis in 48 premenopausal women (14-44 years) in relation to three different types of dressing in summer. Women in the first group (Group I) dressed in a style which exposed the usual areas of the skin to sunlight; women in th e second group (Group II) wore traditional clothing with the skin of the ha nds and face uncovered, while the third group (Group III) dressed in tradit ional Islamic style, covering the whole body including hands and face. Seru m 25OHD levers of Group I, Group II, and Group III were 56 +/- 41.3 nmol/l, 31.9 +/- 24.4 nmol/l, 9 +/- 5.7 nmol/l, respectively (Group I vs Group Ill , p<0.001.; Group II vs Group Ill, p<0.03; Group vs Group II, p>0.05). Vita min D levels were low in 44 percent of the Group I and 60% of the Group It, which suggested that sun exposure of skin areas of hands and face may part ially provide Vitamin D synthesis, but may not be enough to eliminate vitam in D deficiency. All the patients in group III had vitamin D levels below n ormal. This study emphasizes the necessity of vitamin D fortification of fo od even in a sunny country where some people may not be exposed to sunlight because of inappropriate clothing or an indoor-life. (J. Endocrinol. Inves t. 23: 173-177, 2000) (C) 2000, Editrice Kurtis.