title: Are the current Australian sun exposure guidelines effective in maintaining adequate levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D?
abstract: An adequate vitamin D status, as measured by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration, is important in humans for maintenance of healthy bones and muscle function. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was assessed in participants from Melbourne, Australia (37.81S, 144.96E), who were provided with the current Australian guidelines on sun exposure for 25(OH)D adequacy (25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/L). Participants were interviewed in February (summer, n=104) and August (winter, n=99) of 2013. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was examined as a function of measures of sun exposure and sun protection habits with control of key characteristics such as dietary intake of vitamin D, body mass index (BMI) and skin colour, that may modify this relationship. The mean 25(OH)D concentration in participants who complied with the current sun exposure guidelines was 67.3 nmol/L in summer and 41.9 nmol/L in winter. At the end of the study, 69.3% of participants who complied with the summer sun exposure guidelines were 25(OH)D adequate, while only 27.6% of participants who complied with the winter sun exposure guidelines were 25(OH)D adequate at the end of the study. The results suggest that the current Australian guidelines for sun exposure for 25(OH)D adequacy are effective for most in summer and ineffective for most in winter. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled '17th Vitamin D Workshop'.
authors: AusSun Research Laboratory, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Sun and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: m.kimlin@qut.edu.au.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Kimlin
authors: AusSun Research Laboratory, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Sun and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Jiandong
authors: J
authors: Sun
authors: National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Sun and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Cancer Prevention Centre, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Sinclair
authors: SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Heward
authors: SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Hill
authors: SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Kimberley
authors: K
authors: Dunstone
authors: AusSun Research Laboratory, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Brodie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012621:Seasons; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013472:Sunlight; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; Guidelines; Sun exposure; Vitamin D