Vitamin D and health status of British African-Caribbean women
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Relationship between sun exposure, diet, lifestyle and bone on Vitamin D Status (25OHD) in British African-Caribbean Women living in Southern United Kingdom
IRAS ID
270444
Contact name
Susan Lanham-New
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Vitamin D deficiency remains a global public health issue (WIilson 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 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 and anthropometrical 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.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1773
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion