Neither latitude , region of the world , nor laboratory methodology were found to be associated with the prevalence of hypovitaminosis
BACKGROUND Hypovitaminosis D is considered a global public health issue .
Knowledge of its true dimensions will allow us to design interventions and plan preventive measures that can have a significant impact on human health .
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D , defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 30 ng/ml , in postmenopausal women around the world , as well as to identify the potential associated factors .
Vitamin D Insufficiency Among Postmenopausal Women in Urban and Rural Areas in Guilan, Northern Iran
This study aim ed to describe vitamin D status in postmenopausal women in urban and rural areas in Guilan , northern Iran . Between October 2004 and February 2005 a group of 750 women older than 50 years was r and omly selected from urban and rural areas in Guilan . The participants were interviewed to collect data on age , educational level , body weight , height , employment status , reproductive history , medications , history of illness , and supplement use . Serum 25(OH ) D was measured in 646 women ( 427 in urban areas and 219 women in rural areas ) . Serum 25(OH ) D levels in urban and rural postmenopausal women were 18.5 ± 13.5 ng/ml and 22.9 ± 13.8 ng/ml ( P < 0.0001 ) , respectively . In urban and rural areas , 84.7 % and 79.5 % of the women had serum 25(OH ) D levels less than 30 ng/ml , respectively . In this study , serum vitamin D levels and prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was related to educational level in urban women . The urban women in the lowest educational level ( < 5 years schooling ) had a better vitamin D status than other educational groups . This study showed that a high proportion of postmenopausal women living in Guilan province  had vitamin D insufficiency . Vitamin D inadequacy was more common in urban areas and especially in the upper social class . Supplement use and national strategies to prevent vitamin D insufficiency are strongly needed in this community
Neither latitude , region of the world , nor laboratory methodology were found to be associated with the prevalence of hypovitaminosis
BACKGROUND Hypovitaminosis D is considered a global public health issue .
Knowledge of its true dimensions will allow us to design interventions and plan preventive measures that can have a significant impact on human health .
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D , defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 30 ng/ml , in postmenopausal women around the world , as well as to identify the potential associated factors .