Better knowledge on vitamin D and calcium in older people is associated with a higher serum vitamin D level and a higher daily dietary calcium intake Christian Oudshoorna,b, Klaas A. Hartholta,c, Johannes P.T.M. van Leeuwenb, Edgar M. Colind, Nathalie van der Veldea,d, Tischa J.M. van der Cammena,b
a
Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC,
University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands b
Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam,
The Netherlands c
Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands d
Department of Rheumatology Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam,
The Netherlands
Corresponding author: Tischa J.M. van der Cammen, MD, PhD, FRCP Associate Professor of Geriatric Medicine Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands Tel: +31-10-703.59.79; Fax: +31-10-703.47.68 E-mail:
[email protected]
1
Abstract Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine knowledge on vitamin D and calcium in a cohort of older adults and to test the association between health knowledge, vitamin D status and dietary calcium intake. Methods: The participants of this cross-sectional survey consisted of 426 individuals (≥ 65 years), living in residential homes. Participants were tested for their knowledge on vitamin D and calcium using a standardized questionnaire. Serum 25hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels and dietary calcium intake were measured. Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level was 39.1(± 21.4) nmol/l and the mean daily dietary calcium intake was 826 (± 242) mg/day. Of the participants, only 38% indicated that they knew or had heard of vitamin D. Participants overestimated their daily calcium intake. Better knowledge on vitamin D and calcium was associated with both higher vitamin D levels (P 1200 mg/day
22
< 700 mg/day
49
700 – 1200 mg/day 71 > 1200 mg/day
18
14
Table 4. Regression analysis of vitamin D status and calcium intake according to health knowledge B
Model 1 SE P-value
B
Model 2 SE P-value
Knowledge on vitamin D Serum 25(OH)D3 level (nmol/l)* Dietary calcium intake (mg/day)
*
0.837
0.049
