Calcium and vitamin d status of malay women from low income family: a population-based study
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Date
2011
Authors
Mahmood, H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Calcium and vitamin D were known to be essential for the growth of bones, thus, appropriate intake of calcium
and vitamin Dare crucial to prevent osteoporosis and any other skeletal defects. Nutrient intake varies among
population and social status due to the differences in food choices. Our objective is to determine the calcium
and vitamin 0 status of Malay women from low income family in Kelantan. Calcium and vitamin D status were
determined in healthy 150 (51 pre and 99 postmenopausal) Kelantanese Malay women. Calcium intake was
determined by diet recall and food frequency questionnaire, while vitamin D based on serum levels of 25-
hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) using ELISA kits . The data showed that the mean calcium intake was
492.9±316.51 mg/day where 86.3% of the premenopausal and 91.9% of the postmenopausal subjects have
calcium intakes lower than the recommended daily intake for Malaysian women {800 mg/day and lOOOmgjday
respectively). The intake of calcium was affected by education level and working status (P< 0.05). Whilst for
vitamin D, the mean is 43.4 ± 7.01 nmoi/L. None of the subjects have sufficient serum vitamin D level {>100
nmol/l), 16.4% have lowered serum 25-0H vitamin D level (defined as Hypovitaminosis D, 50-100 nmol/l),
majority (82.9%) have deficient level of serum 25-0H D (25-50 nmoi/L). The other 0.7% falls under seriously
deficient level of vitamin D {< 25 nmol/l). Vitamin D intake showed significant correlation with education level,
BMI and smoking status (P< 0.05). These findings, which showed that majority of the subjects have low calcium
and vitamin D status is a concern as it will lead to public health problems, especially osteoporosis. Strategy
needs to be developed in combating this problem in the lower income populations. Calcium with vitamin D
supplementation in the selected high ~isk groups might be a cost-effective preventative measure.
Description
Keywords
Calcium