Abstract

Objectives To assess the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, altered arterial blood pressure, and serum levels of glucose and lipids in community-dwelling women in the city of Ribeirao Preto, in the southeast of Brazil. Methods Thiswas a cross-sectional study of women aged 40-70 years old. Calcium intake and level of sun exposure were assessed by means of a questionnaire. A blood sample was used to determine glucose, lipid profile and 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25[OH] D) concentration. Results Ninety-one women were enrolled (age = 54.2 +/- 7.1 years). The mean serum 25(OH) D concentration was 25.7 +/- 8.9 ng/mL. A total of 24 (26.4%) women had 25 (OH) D levels 20 ng/mL. Seventy women (76.9%) had 25(OH) D levels 30 ng/mL. Seventy-five women (90.4%) had inadequate calcium intake, and 61 women (67%) had appropriate sun exposure, 49 of whom (80.3%) had serum 25(OH) D levels 30 ng/mL. Conclusion This study indicates that even in community-dwelling women, living in a city with high sun exposure, serum levels of 25(OH) D >30 ng/ml are hardly reached. Thus, it is probable that other intrinsic factors besides sun exposure may regulate the levels of vitamin D.