Dietary vitamin D Intake among Students at the University of Hail, Saudi Arabia

Asra Anjum, Dr. Suzan Amin

Abstract: Vitamin D is important for the maintenance of healthy bones, and its deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Lower levels of vitamin D in the blood are also a risk factor for osteoporosis, impaired muscle function and an increased risk of falls and fractures. The study was conducted to assess levels of dietary vitamin D among students at the University of Hail, Saudi Arabia. A cross sectional study of 100 Saudi females ages between 18 -21 were randomly selected at the university of Hail. They were assessed usining a food frequency questionnaire. Student knowledge about the benefits of Vitamin D was also assessed using survey questions. Our results indicate that student knowledge on Vitamin D and its benefits are known by the students. However dietary Levels of vitamin D are lacking in the students. Workshops for health education and prevention should be encouraged to help solve this issue.

Keywords: Vitamin D, causes, sources, deficiency and Hail Saudi Arabia