Prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among three immigrant groups in Finland: evidence from a population-based study using standardised 25-hydroxyvitamin D data.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated the determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [S-25(OH)D] and dietary vitamin D sources among three immigrant groups in Finland and compared their S-25(OH)D to the general Finnish population.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional population-based Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study and the nationally representative Finnish Health 2011 Survey. S-25(OH)D was standardised according to the Vitamin D Standardisation Program. Vitamin D sources were assessed by interview.

SETTING:

Six different municipalities in Finland (60°-63°N).

PARTICIPANTS:

Immigrants aged 18-64 years (446 Russians, 346 Somalis, 500 Kurds), 798 Finns aged 30-64 years.

RESULTS:

The mean of S-25(OH)D was 64 (95 % CI 62, 66), 44 (95 % CI 41, 46), 35 (95 % CI 34, 37) and 64 (95 % CI 62, 66) nmol/l for Russians, Somalis, Kurds and Finns, respectively. S-25(OH)D among Somalis and Kurds was lower compared with Finns (P < 0·001). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (S-25(OH)D <30 nmol/l) and insufficiency (S-25(OH)D <50 nmol/l) was higher among immigrants than Finns (P < 0·001). Vitamin D-rich foods differed between the groups; vitamin D-fortified fat spread consumption was higher among Somalis (91 %) than among Russians (73 %) and Kurds (60 %); fish was less consumed among Kurds (17 %) than among Russians (43 %) and Somalis (38 %); and 57 % Russians, 56 % Kurds and 36 % Somalis consumed vitamin D-fortified dairy daily (P < 0·001 for all). Daily smoking, alcohol consumption and winter blood sampling were determinants of vitamin D insufficiency (P ≤ 0·03). Older age, physical activity, fish and vitamin D-fortified dairy consumption were associated with lower odds of insufficiency (P ≤ 0·04).

CONCLUSIONS:

Vitamin D status differed among immigrant groups and the determinants are, to some degree, associated with learned or existing cultural behaviours.

• Authors: Folasade A Adebayo, Suvi T Itkonen, Eero Lilja, Tuija Jääskeläinen, Annamari Lundqvist, Tiina Laatikainen, Päivikki Koponen, Kevin D Cashman, Maijaliisa Erkkola, Christel Lamberg-Allardt
• Journal: Public health nutrition (Public Health Nutr) Vol. 23 Issue 7 Pg. 1254-1265 (05 2020) ISSN: 1475-2727 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32188532 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Vitamins
• Vitamin D
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Diet
• Dietary Supplements
• Emigrants and Immigrants (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Finland (epidemiology)
• Health Surveys
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nutritional Status
• Prevalence
• Russia
• Seasons
• Somalia
• Vitamin D (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (blood, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Vitamins (administration & dosage, blood)
• Young Adult