Sun behaviour and physical activity associated with autumn vitamin D status in 4-8-year-old Danish children

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sun behaviour and physical activity associated with autumn vitamin D status in 4-8-year-old Danish children

AU - Mortensen, Charlotte

AU - Mølgaard, Christian

AU - Hauger, Hanne

AU - Kristensen, Michael

AU - Damsgaard, Camilla Trab

N1 - CURIS 2018 NEXS 320

PY - 2018/11/1

Y1 - 2018/11/1

N2 - Objective To explore determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) during autumn in young, Caucasian children not consuming vitamin D-fortified foods or supplements, and explore differences in sun behaviours between pre-school and school children.Design In September-October, s-25(OH)D was measured by LC-MS/MS; physical activity, sun behaviours and vitamin D intake were assessed with questionnaires.Setting Baseline data from the ODIN Junior trial at 55°N.Subjects Children aged 4-8 years (n 130), of whom 96% gave blood samples.Results Mean s-25(OH)D was 56·8 (sd 12·5) nmol/l and positively associated with fat-free mass index (P=0·014). Children being active 6-7 h/week had 5·6 (95% CI 1·1, 10·0) nmol/l higher s-25(OH)D than less active children (P=0·014). Children seeking shade sometimes or rarely/never had 7·0 (95% CI 1·2, 12·9; P=0·018) and 7·2 (95% CI 0·8, 13·6; P=0·028) nmol/l higher s-25(OH)D, respectively, than children always/often seeking shade. Pre-school children had more sun-safe behaviour than school children in terms of use of a hat, sunscreen and sunscreen sun protection factor (P<0·05). In school but not pre-school children, using a hat rarely/never was associated with 12·1 (95% CI 2·5, 21·7; P=0·014) nmol/l higher s-25(OH)D v. always/often (P interaction=0·019). Vitamin D intake was not associated with s-25(OH)D (P=0·241).Conclusions Physical activity and sun behaviours are associated with s-25(OH)D in young children. Identifying factors influencing autumn s-25(OH)D is relevant to optimize levels before sun exposure diminishes. Strategies to reduce risk of inadequacy should consider risk of skin cancer and sunburn, and could include fortification and/or vitamin D supplementation.

AB - Objective To explore determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) during autumn in young, Caucasian children not consuming vitamin D-fortified foods or supplements, and explore differences in sun behaviours between pre-school and school children.Design In September-October, s-25(OH)D was measured by LC-MS/MS; physical activity, sun behaviours and vitamin D intake were assessed with questionnaires.Setting Baseline data from the ODIN Junior trial at 55°N.Subjects Children aged 4-8 years (n 130), of whom 96% gave blood samples.Results Mean s-25(OH)D was 56·8 (sd 12·5) nmol/l and positively associated with fat-free mass index (P=0·014). Children being active 6-7 h/week had 5·6 (95% CI 1·1, 10·0) nmol/l higher s-25(OH)D than less active children (P=0·014). Children seeking shade sometimes or rarely/never had 7·0 (95% CI 1·2, 12·9; P=0·018) and 7·2 (95% CI 0·8, 13·6; P=0·028) nmol/l higher s-25(OH)D, respectively, than children always/often seeking shade. Pre-school children had more sun-safe behaviour than school children in terms of use of a hat, sunscreen and sunscreen sun protection factor (P<0·05). In school but not pre-school children, using a hat rarely/never was associated with 12·1 (95% CI 2·5, 21·7; P=0·014) nmol/l higher s-25(OH)D v. always/often (P interaction=0·019). Vitamin D intake was not associated with s-25(OH)D (P=0·241).Conclusions Physical activity and sun behaviours are associated with s-25(OH)D in young children. Identifying factors influencing autumn s-25(OH)D is relevant to optimize levels before sun exposure diminishes. Strategies to reduce risk of inadequacy should consider risk of skin cancer and sunburn, and could include fortification and/or vitamin D supplementation.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Vitamin D

KW - Sun behaviour

KW - Physical activity

KW - Children

KW - Northern latitude

U2 - 10.1017/s1368980018002094

DO - 10.1017/s1368980018002094

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30189911

SN - 1368-9800

VL - 21

SP - 3158

EP - 3167

JO - Public Health Nutrition

JF - Public Health Nutrition

IS - 17

ER -