Vitamin D Deficiency in Lebanese Adults: Prevalence and Predictors from a Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutritional Science
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency is a growing global health concern.
• Prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Lebanese adults residing in the Greater Beirut area.
• To identify factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in this population.

Main Methods:

• A random sample of 446 adults from Greater Beirut was recruited.
• Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay.
• Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate statistical methods.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed, with 71.9% deficient using a 50 nmol/L cutoff and 39.1% using a 30 nmol/L cutoff.
• Bivariate analyses showed associations between vitamin D status and gender, BMI, body fat mass, income, education, alcohol consumption, dietary intake, LDL-cholesterol, and creatinine.
• Independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency after covariate adjustment were age, income, alcohol consumption, and serum creatinine.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in the Lebanese adult population.
• Modifiable risk factors such as income, alcohol consumption, and dietary habits should be targeted for preventive strategies.
• Public health initiatives are needed to address this widespread nutritional deficiency.