Grant: Project Grant

Vitamin D is important for bone health and many other aspects of human health. Deficiency in vitamin D is attributed to long dark periods of winter and the lack of consuming vitamin D rich foods. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a number of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, asthma, and pelvic floor disorders. Older adults are at increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency in part because aged skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently and seniors are likely to spend more time indoors. Vitamin D status varies among people of different social and ethnic/racial backgrounds. It also differs in people from different geographic locations. The main source of vitamin D intake is through the skin's absorption of the sun. Factors such as high latitude, dark skin color, sunscreen use, not enough time in the sun, air pollution, and clothing coverage are known to decrease vitamin D production in the skin. Obtaining enough vitamin D from dietary sources is difficult for many Canadians, especially for people living in the Northwest Territories (NT) with low sun exposure for half of the year. This study will document the differences in vitamin D intake and status among multi-ethnic populations in Yellowknife, NT. This research will also gather evidence in order to support further vitamin D research and a possible program for improving vitamin D status among populations living in the North.