Year: 2025 | Month: January | Volume: 15 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 271-279
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20250136
Association of Vitamin D Status with Lifestyle and Metabolic Factors in Adult Females of Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Brihaspati Rimal1, Dr. Mohd Babu Khan2
1PhD Scholar, School of Life and Allied Health Sciences, Glocal University Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2Assistant Professor, Glocal School of Life and Natural Sciences, Glocal University Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Mohd Babu Khan
ABSTRACT
Background: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in several chronic illnesses beyond bone health. However, its status in developing countries including Nepal remains poorly documented. To guide public health initiatives, this study aims to investigate the association between vitamin D level and factors including lifestyle, and metabolic variables in adult Nepalese women.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st March to 2nd April 2024, in Bharatpur in Bharatpur Metropolitan city, Nepal. A total of 103 adult participants aged between 18 to 70 years, who visited Chitwan Medical College, were included. Data were collected after obtaining informed consent through structured questionnaires regarding lifestyle, physical measurements and blood sample to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D. SPSS window version 23 was used for statistical analyses, employing chi-square tests and one way ANOVA to evaluate significant associations between vitamin D status and various variables.
Results: Many adult female participants had low levels of vitamin D, less than 20 ng/ml. This was linked to their age (p=0.003), the size of their waist compared to their hips (p=0.004), their body mass index (BMI) (p=0.022), and their blood pressure (p=0.030). Adult female, those with higher BMI, and those with more waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) had lower vitamin D levels. Low vitamin D was also connected to higher cholesterol (p=0.002) and higher blood pressure.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among adult Nepalese women and is associated with age, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The present study also reflects the need for effective health strategies, including supplementation, lifestyle modifications, and public health education, to address vitamin D deficiency and its associated health risks.
Key words: Vitamin D, Adult women, Metabolic Parameters, Lifestyle