Abstract
African Caribbean (AC) populations are ‘at risk’ of vitamin D deficiency in the UK (1). Vitamin D dietary intake is especially important in winter months, when cutaneous production of vitamin D from UVB rays is not possible in Northern latitudes. (1). Vitamin D together with calcium play a crucial role in bone health (1). The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium of the AC population and the association with bone health outcomes.
A cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Surrey, UK, in winter 2020. Healthy, self-identified AC women aged >18 years, not in menopause or taking vitamin D containing supplements, were recruited. Dietary intakes were assessed using 4-day estimated food diaries, analysed via Nutritics software (v5.099), whilst Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scans of the whole body and left hip were used to assess bone health and analysed using Hologic QDR (Hologic Inc., S/N 200071, USA). Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were taken and UVB exposure was assessed. The relationships between vitamin D and calcium intakes and bone heath (bone mineral density and bone mineral composition) were analysed by Pearson correlation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM, v27).