Pilot study of sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in Arab women of childbearing age

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Arab women. In a pilot study we investigated the effect of sun exposure at recommended levels on the vitamin D status of Arab women. Eight healthy Arab women of childbearing age consented to expose their face, arms and hands for 15 minutes per day twice a week for 4 weeks within the privacy of their courtyard and to avoid changes in dietary vitamin D intake. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)] levels were measured pre- and post-intervention. Although vitamin D levels remained sub-optimal median serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher post-intervention (23.0 nmol/L) than pre-intervention (17.6 nmol/L). Extending sun exposure for more than 4 weeks should be investigated as part of strategies to improve vitamin D status in high-risk Arab women who lack outdoor sun exposure to the skin.