Effects of knowledge of vitamin D on attitudes toward sun exposure among middle-aged and elderly Indonesian adults

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to certain health problems among senior people. Excessive body weight lowers the vitamin D level. Hypovitaminosis D affects older adults, with a greater risk of infection, disease, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia. However, little is known as to what extent the knowledge of vitamin D’s benefits contributes to the attitude toward sunlight exposure among people at risk of hypovitaminosis D. Aim: The objective was to investigate the effect of knowledge of vitamin D on attitudes toward sunlight among 166 middle-aged and elderly people in East Java, Indonesia. Method: We conducted an observational study using a case control design. The sample was purposively recruited among visitors consulting the geriatric clinic at a community health centre in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia. Each case and control group consisted of 83 men and women aged 46 years old or older. The assignment of subjects to each group was determined based on their body mass index (BMI). A standardised questionnaire was delivered to the study subjects to obtain data on their knowledge and attitudes related to vitamin D. A Chi square test was performed to assess the difference between the obese group and the non-obese group. Results: Our study found no significant difference in relation to the knowledge of vitamin D between the two groups (p=0.436). However, the two groups showed a significant difference in attitude toward sun exposure (p=0.030). Conclusion: No significant effect was found between knowledge of vitamin D and attitude toward sun exposure among the adults.