Vitamin D deficiency in Kazakhstan: Cross-Sectional study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) affects over a billion people globally, presenting a significant public health challenge.
• Understanding VDD prevalence and contributing factors in diverse populations is crucial for effective health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess vitamin D status in the adult population of Kazakhstan across different geographical regions.
• To identify factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1347 healthy adults from 6 regions of Kazakhstan.
• Systematic random sampling was employed for participant recruitment.
• Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels were measured using the Architect 25OH Vitamin D assay.

Main Results:

• Median serum 25(OH)D concentrations in all studied regions were below the reference threshold of 20 ng/mL.
• Severe VDD (<10 ng/mL) was more prevalent in females (34.6%) and Asian individuals (33.2%) compared to males and Caucasians, respectively.
• Individuals with low body mass index showed a higher proportion of severe VDD, while those aged 60 and older had more favorable vitamin D levels.

Conclusions:

• Widespread vitamin D deficiency exists in the adult population of Kazakhstan.
• Demographic factors such as sex and ethnicity, along with body mass index, are associated with VDD.
• Further research is essential to develop targeted interventions for VDD in Kazakhstan.