Level of vitamin d and its associated factors among private university students in shah alam, Selangor

Abstract

Good nutritional status is important in maintaining human’s well-being, growth and development, and resistance towards illnesses. The aim of this study was to determine the level of Vitamin D and its associated factor among private university students in Shah Alam, Selangor. A cross-sectional study was done to evaluate Vitamin D status and possible associated factors of this status in three-hundred ten students, healthy young adults aged 18-29 years of age. For this study, Vitamin D status was assessed via six Vitamin D rich food items such as Oily Fish, Beef, Liver, Margarine, Butter and Eggs,. These items were chosen based on National Nutrition Survey. Dietary intake of Vitamin D and Calcium were assessed subjectively via Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Finding shows the mean for each specific Vitamin D rich food are Eggs (Median = 6.83, butter (Mean = 6.59) and margarine (Mean = 6.37). There was a significant association between gender, course of study and status of vitamin D. As a conclusion, significant percentage of students are suffering from vitamin D insufficiency. More health education should be focused on vitamin D sources among young generation.