Work

Importance of Vitamin D and Vitamin D levels Status in Puerto Ricans

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: There is growing and compelling evidence demonstrating the extra-skeletal role of vitamin D and the importance of maintaining adequate levels of this nutrient. Currently, there is very limited information available on the vitamin D status in children and adults in underserved groups, including Puerto Ricans. We assessed the vitamin D status of 4,090 Puerto Ricans living in six geographical regions in the island. Only 31.5% of the studied population had sufficient vitamin D levels (>30 ng/ml). The 18-39 year age group and the females showed inadequate (<30 ng/ml) levels of vitamin D (76.9% and 69.8%, respectively). Participants aged 60 or older showed the highest mean values of serum 25(OH)D (28.8 ng/ml) and the highest percentage (37.1%) of sufficient levels (>30 ng/ml). Future studies are certainly warranted to understand the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and influencing factors (including obesity) in Puerto Ricans.

Source: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved

DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2014.0000

Authors: Edu B. Suárez-Martínez, Cynthia M. Pérez, Sofia K. Cruz, Shayan Khorsandi, Camile Chardón, Leon Ferder

Institutions: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Ponce Health Sciences University, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce

Language: English

Topic: Vitamin D Research Studies

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities