The Relationship Between Sun Exposure, Diet, Lifestyle and Bone on Vitamin D Status (25OHD) in British African-Caribbean Women Living in Southern United Kingdom

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

Vitamin D deficiency remains a global public health issue (Wilson 2017). In the United Kingdom (UK). There is a lack of research looking at vitamin D status of the British African-Caribbean population. This population is particularly at risk to vitamin D deficiency due to possessing a skin type which hinders the production of vitamin D in the skin. Further, due to the geographical location of the UK, there is reduced ability to produce vitamin D due to the low sun exposure (Libon 2013 ). Our main source of vitamin D is through skin exposure to the sun. In the UK, the UV radiation is only strong enough in April-September (Wilson 2017) for the production of vitamin D to occur. In winter months, vitamin D needs to be consumed in food or supplement form. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and is associated with reduced risk of certain cancers and immune disorders (Wilson 2017). There is strong epidemiological evidence linking low vitamin D status with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and some cancers (NatCen 2018). This observational study will aim to determine the vitamin D status of British Afro-Caribbean women, as well as determine the effects of sun exposure, dietary vitamin D intake, muscular strength, lifestyle and anthropometrical (height, weight etc.) factors have on vitamin D status. The study will be conducted at the University of Surrey. The study will take place in Autumn and winter 2019/2020 and a repeat study in Spring 2020. Each participant will require two visits to the university, each session will take approximately 2 hours. The study is funded by the University of Surrey. The findings of this study may lead to strategies for improving vitamin D status in this population, as well as improving guidelines to assist darker-skinned people regarding sunlight exposure in high latitudes.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Women

• British African-Caribbean Self-reported Having African ancestral origin and migrated via the Caribbean islands, or having at least one parent with African ancestral origin that migrated via the Caribbean

• Living in England for \>2 months

• Aged 18-35 or \>55 years

• No significant health issues

• Pre-menopausal (regular menstrual periods) or Post-menopausal (menstrual periods stopped for longer than 12 consecutive months)

• BMI 18-30kg/m2

Locations
Other Locations
United Kingdom
University of Surrey
RECRUITING
Guildford
Time Frame
Start Date: 2020-02-07
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-03-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 100
Sponsors
Leads: University of Surrey

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov