El-Mallah Carla, Yarparvar Amirhossein, Galetti Valeria, Obeid Omar, Boutros Mira, Safadi Gloria, ZeinEddine Razan, Ezzeddine Nour El Hoda, Kouzeiha Maya, Kobayter Diana, Wirth James P, Abi Zeid Daou Mirella, Asfahani Farah, Hilal Nadeen, Hamadeh Randa, Abiad Firass, Petry Nicolai
GroundWork, 7036 Fläsch, Switzerland.
United Nations Children's Fund, Beirut 1100, Lebanon.
Nutrients. 2025 Feb 26;17(5):804. doi: 10.3390/nu17050804.
: Vitamin D-crucial for bone health, immune function, and hormone regulation-is deficient worldwide, affecting around half the population, particularly women. The study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and hypovitaminosis D in non-pregnant women in Lebanon. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey sampled households across Lebanon, covering 2803 non-pregnant women aged 15 to 49. Demographic information and dietary habits were collected, and anthropometric measurements and serum analyses, including 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, were conducted. Multivariable Poisson regressions were constructed to calculate the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) for vitamin D deficiency and hypovitaminosis D of variables. : The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<30 nmol/L) among non-pregnant women in Lebanon was 37.9%, while 69.2% had hypovitaminosis D (<50 nmol/L). Wearing a veil (hijab) was identified as the most significant risk factor for both vitamin D deficiency (aPR = 3.76) and hypovitaminosis D (aPR = 1.47). Additionally, olive skin and dark skin were both associated with an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (olive skin: aPR = 1.14; dark skin: aPR = 1.28), while only dark skin color was associated with hypovitaminosis D (aPR = 1.10). In contrast, protective factors against vitamin D deficiency and hypovitaminosis D included daily sun exposure exceeding one hour (aPR = 0.83-0.91) and vitamin D supplementation (aPR = 0.30-0.55). Anemia, folate deficiency, and vitamin B12 deficiency were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, hypovitaminosis D, or both. BMI was not significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency; however, women with underweight (aPR = 1.13) and obesity (aPR = 1.12) exhibited a higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. : Vitamin D deficiency and hypovitaminosis D affect a significant portion of non-pregnant women in Lebanon, with veiling (hijab wearing), limited sun exposure, and lack of supplementation as primary risk factors. Future work should focus on tailoring recommendations for vitamin D supplementation, sun exposure, and food fortification to effectively address the diverse risk factors in the population.
维生素D对骨骼健康、免疫功能和激素调节至关重要,但全球范围内都存在缺乏现象,约半数人口受其影响,女性尤为明显。该研究旨在确定黎巴嫩非孕期女性维生素D缺乏及维生素D不足的患病率和风险因素。方法:一项全国性横断面调查对黎巴嫩各地家庭进行抽样,涵盖2803名15至49岁的非孕期女性。收集了人口统计学信息和饮食习惯,并进行了人体测量和血清分析,包括25-羟维生素D(25(OH)D)浓度检测。构建多变量泊松回归模型以计算各变量维生素D缺乏和维生素D不足的调整患病率比(aPR)。结果:黎巴嫩非孕期女性维生素D缺乏(<30 nmol/L)的患病率为37.9%,而维生素D不足(<50 nmol/L)的患病率为69.2%。戴面纱(头巾)被确定为维生素D缺乏(aPR = 3.76)和维生素D不足(aPR = 1.47)的最显著风险因素。此外,橄榄色皮肤和深色皮肤都与维生素D缺乏患病率增加有关(橄榄色皮肤:aPR = 1.14;深色皮肤:aPR = 1.28),而只有深色皮肤与维生素D不足有关(aPR = 1.10)。相比之下,预防维生素D缺乏和维生素D不足的保护因素包括每日日晒超过一小时(aPR = 0.83 - 0.91)和补充维生素D(aPR = 0.30 - 0.55)。贫血、叶酸缺乏和维生素B12缺乏与维生素D缺乏、维生素D不足或两者的较高患病率显著相关。BMI与维生素D缺乏无显著关联;然而,体重过轻(aPR = 1.13)和肥胖(aPR = 1.12)的女性维生素D不足的患病率较高。结论:维生素D缺乏和维生素D不足影响着黎巴嫩很大一部分非孕期女性,戴面纱(头巾)、日晒有限和缺乏补充是主要风险因素。未来的工作应侧重于针对维生素D补充、日晒和食物强化制定建议,以有效应对人群中的各种风险因素。