An overview on vitamin D status and associated factors in Saudi Arabia Elderly Population

Abstract

Worldwide, nearly one billion individuals are suffering from vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, which is mostly high among the elderly population. It remains a major health problem in Saudi Arabia. Despite having sunny weather most of the year, exposure to sunlight is inadequate due to traditional clothing style that covers almost the whole body, indoor activities especially among elderly. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of various health problems including falls, Factures, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and cancer Several studies have investigated the prevalence of hypovitaminosis-D and various associated factors among elderly in kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among elderly population in Saudi Arabia and it remains a vital heath problem. Educational interventions are needed to increase awareness about the importance of vitamin D and to promote healthy life style habits that would be effective as preventive measures for vitamin D deficiency in elderly. Integration of vitamin D testing in the primary health care centers and regular monitoring of serum levels would be helpful in developing supplementation programs that would in turn result in overall reduction of this health problem.