Assessment of Vitamin D Status in White Collared Employees

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency prevails in epidemic proportions all over the Indian subcontinent, with a prevalence of 70%–100% in the general population. In India, widely consumed food items such as dairy products are rarely fortified with vitamin D. Indian socioreligious practices and employment environment do not facilitate adequate sun exposure, thereby negating potential benefits of plentiful sunshine. Consequently, subclinical vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in both urban and rural settings, and across all socioeconomic and geographic strata. Vitamin D deficiency is likely to play an important role in the very high prevalence of rickets, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and infections such as tuberculosis in India.

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate vitamin D status in normal healthy individuals who are engaged in jobs where exposure to sunlight is low.

Materials and methods: A total of 218 individuals were selected for analysis. Height, weight, pulse, blood pressure (BP), waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were measured.  Serum vitamin D and plasma fasting sugar were analyzed.

Results: More than 49% of the subjects were found to be vitamin D deficient or insufficient. There were no significant differences in vitamin D levels among different age groups and gender. Low vitamin D levels were associated with increased waist circumference and high blood pressure. The diabetic patients had significantly lower vitamin D levels.

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in urban population and is associated with obesity,diabetes and hypertension.

Keywords: Vitamin D; obesity; hypertension.