Skin Color and Self-reported Sun Exposure Scores are Associated with Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in a Multi-ethnic Population Living in South Florida. Article

Ajabshir, Sahar, Exebio, Joel C, Zarini, Gustavo G et al. (2014). Skin Color and Self-reported Sun Exposure Scores are Associated with Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in a Multi-ethnic Population Living in South Florida. . 4(34), 5312-5323. 10.9734/bjmmr/2014/10551

cited authors

  • Ajabshir, Sahar; Exebio, Joel C; Zarini, Gustavo G; Nayer, Ali; McLean, Michael; Shaban, Lemia; Huffman, Fatma G

abstract

  • Aims

    The aim was to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], skin color and sun exposure score.

    Study design

    Cross-sectional.

    Place and duration of study

    Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Miami, Florida from July 2012 to October 2012.

    Methodology

    Seventy six adults, ages 18-36 years living in South Florida participated in the study. Skin color was quantified by a IMS Smart Probe 400 scanner and 25(OH)D was measured by ELISA. A sun exposure questionnaire was used to record the weekly sun exposure scores. A food frequency questionnaire was used to record daily vitamin D intake.

    Results

    Multiple-linear regression analysis indicated that sun exposure, forearm skin color and vitamin D intake were significant predictors of 25(OH)D (P=.004, P=.003 and P=.021 respectively). This association held after controlling for covariates (B=.371, P=.027 for forearm, B=.031, P=.005 for total sun exposure and B=.689, P=.003 for vitamin D intake).

    Conclusion

    Skin color, sun exposure along with vitamin D intake may be used as an indirect non-invasive tools to estimate 25(OH)D levels in healthy individuals in South Florida.

publication date

  • December 1, 2014

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Medium

  • Print-Electronic

start page

  • 5312

end page

  • 5323

volume

  • 4

issue

  • 34