VITAMIN D;

EXPLORING LOW VITAMIN D STATUS REGARDING AGE & SEX FACTORS AMONG SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN HAZARA.

Abstract

Background: Present study was designed by keeping in view the importance of vitamin D in adolescents’ age group. Objectives: To explore the cases of low vitamin D status (<50 nmol/l) with respect to age & sex factors in school students. Study Design: Observation cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Biochemistry faculty of Health Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, Ayub Medical College and Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Period: June 2014 to June 2015. Subject & Methods: We recorded daily intake of vitamin D of each individual and  measured serum 25 hydrxoy vitamin D in a school based cross sectional sample of adolescents girls (n=93) and boys (n=96) students. Results: Results of this study reflected that, out of total boys and girls students, 16% and 39% of the sample  respectively showed low serum vitamin D status(<50 nmol/l). Number of cases had low vitamin D level increased with age in girls and decreased with age in boys. Serum vitamin D concentration was decreased with increase in age of girls and found significantly low (p=0.0087) in higher age group (>13-≤16).  No significant difference (p=0.29) was noted regarding daily intake of vitamin D between lower & higher age. Conclusion: It is concluded that, age and sex might be contributory factors in the occurrence of low vitamin D status.