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Henriques M, Soares P, Sacadura-Leite E. Vitamin D levels in Portuguese military personnel. BMJ Mil Health 2023; 169:542-547. [PMID: 35236767 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-002021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Portugal, most adults have inadequate levels of vitamin D. Active duty military personnel need to be always ready for duty, perform tasks in specific contexts and overcome high physical and mental demands, which raises the relevance of knowing their vitamin D levels. This study aims to characterise vitamin D levels of Portuguese active duty military personnel and evaluate the effect of military status on the prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency, adjusted for season of the year, age and gender. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional study, based on vitamin D measurements carried out at the Armed Forces Hospital between 2014 and 2020, was fulfilled including the variables age, gender, vitamin D level and dosing date for military personnel and civilians. Comparison of proportions test and the generalised linear regression model were used for data analysis with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS Out of 2782 subjects, 62.7% were military personnel. Mean±SD level of vitamin D was 24.5±10.6 ng/mL and 23.7±11.5 ng/mL in military personnel and civilians, respectively. In the military personnel, the prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency, insufficiency and deficiency was, respectively, 25.2%, 40.1% and 34.6%. Prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency was similar in the civilians cohort and, also, between Armed Forces branches. Military status had no effect on the prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency, especially after adjustments. CONCLUSIONS We present data on vitamin D levels of Portuguese active duty military personnel. Our results found that military personnel are no more at risk of vitamin D inadequacy than civilians, but only a quarter of active duty military personnel had vitamin D sufficiency. Therefore, they can benefit from vitamin D levels assessment towards vitamin D levels optimisation. Further studies are still needed, especially among military personnel with higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Henriques
- Naval Research Centre (CINAV), Naval School, Almada, Portugal
- National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Soares
- Public Health Investigation Centre, National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - E Sacadura-Leite
- Public Health Investigation Centre, National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Lisbon Medical Faculty, Lisboa, Portugal
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Rips L, Toom A, Kuik R, Varblane A, Mölder H, Kull M, Kartus JT, Gapeyeva H, Rahu M. Severe deficiency of vitamin D has no negative effect on physical performance during military training. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2023; 63:329-338. [PMID: 36205086 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.22.14123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decreased physical fitness and inferior physical performance are potentially life-threatening risk factors in a combat situation. To examine the effect of vitamin D on physical performance, a prospective study of young men conscripts in the Estonian Army was designed. The hypothesis of the study was that severe deficiency of vitamin D has a negative effect on physical performance. METHODS All conscripts (N.=410) entering 10-month military service in July 2015 at the Kuperjanov Battalion were asked to participate. Initially, a total of 98 conscripts volunteered to participate. A prospective longitudinal study with a 10-month follow-up period was performed. The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) was performed three times, and hand grip strength, and blood serum values of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium (Ca) were measured four times. RESULTS A significant decrease in the levels of 25(OH)D compared with baseline values were found, with a lowest mean value of 31.9 nmol/L in March 2016 (P<0.001). No significant differences were found in serum Ca levels. In March 2016, PTH was significantly higher in the severe deficiency group (<25 nmol/L of 25(OH)D) (P=0.02). No significant differences were found in terms of the APFT or hand grip strength between conscripts with severe deficiency of 25(OH)D or values >25 nmol/L. The main finding of the present study was that severe 25(OH)D deficiency was common among male conscripts during the winter season but had no negative effect on physical performance in terms of the APFT test and hand grip strength test. CONCLUSIONS Severe vitamin D deficiency during the winter season is common but has no negative effect on physical performance in young, physically active men in military service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leho Rips
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia - .,Department of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia - .,Center of Military Disaster Medicine, Estonian National Defence College, Tartu, Estonia -
| | - Alar Toom
- Department of Orthopedics, Central Finland Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Rein Kuik
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ahti Varblane
- Center of Military Disaster Medicine, Estonian National Defence College, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hanno Mölder
- Medical Centre of the 2nd Infantry Brigade CSS Battalion, Estonian Defence Forces, Võru, Estonia
| | - Mart Kull
- Viljandi Hospital, Jämejala, Estonia
| | - Jüri-Toomas Kartus
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Clinical Siences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helena Gapeyeva
- Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Clinic of Medical Rehabilitation, East-Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Madis Rahu
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Ruani MA, Reiss MJ. Susceptibility to COVID-19 Nutrition Misinformation and Eating Behavior Change during Lockdowns: An International Web-Based Survey. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15020451. [PMID: 36678321 PMCID: PMC9861671 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the susceptibility to nutrition-health misinformation related to preventing, treating, or mitigating the risk of COVID-19 during the initial lockdowns around the world, the present international web-based survey study (15 April-15 May 2020) gauged participants' (n = 3707) level of nutrition-health misinformation discernment by presenting them with 25 statements (including unfounded or unproven claims circulated at the time), alongside the influence of information sources of varying quality on the frequency of changes in their eating behavior and the extent of misinformation held, depending on the source used for such changes. Results revealed widespread misinformation about food, eating, and health practices related to COVID-19, with the 25 statements put to participants receiving up to 43% misinformed answers (e.g., 'It is safe to eat fruits and vegetables that have been washed with soap or diluted bleach'). Whereas higher quality information sources (nutrition scientists, nutrition professionals) had the biggest influence on eating behavior change, we found greater misinformation susceptibility when relying on poor quality sources for changing diet. Appropriate discernment of misinformation was weakest amongst participants who more frequently changed their eating behavior because of information from poor quality sources, suggesting disparities in the health risks/safety of the changes performed.
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Ubaldi F, Montanari E, Margarucci LM, Caprara C, Gianfranceschi G, Scaramucci E, Piccolella A, Valeriani F, Romano Spica V. Vitamin D status and COVID-19 prevention in a worker subgroup in Italy. Work 2023:WOR220387. [PMID: 36641729 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low levels of vitamin D are widespread in the world's population and associated with sun exposure, genetics, and lifestyles. Office workers in different occupational sectors seem more vulnerable than others. Scientific evidence reports a contribution of vitamin D in resistance to infections, opening to supplementation as a preventive action against pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. OBJECTIVE A pilot campaign in the workplace during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was conducted based on the preliminary measurement of vitamin D amount and its integration. METHODS A preventive action to contrast the deficiency of vitamin D was offered to a population of 700 bank employees. Vitamin D supplementation was performed between April and June 2021, on workers (n = 139) and showed 25(OH)D serum levels ≤ 30 ng/ml. Demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle information were collected by survey and changes in the serum 25(OH)D amounts were monitored. RESULTS The adherence of the target population to the prevention campaign was 21%. 75% of the enrolled workers had low levels of vitamin D. After the intervention, serum vitamin D levels increased (1.28-fold;p = 0.0001) and 80% of the subjects reported optimal values > 30 ng/ml. Only 2.9% reported slight flu-like symptoms, but only 0.7% was confirmed as COVID-19, with respect to a ten-fold higher incidence in the general population. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D supplementation can be achieved by simple and noninvasive approaches and can bring along further insights into health literacy on diet and lifestyles, representing an opportunity to protect the population by the widespread state of vitamin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Elena Scaramucci
- Sant' Andrea Hospital A.O.U., Sapienza University of Rome, Rome,Italy
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Henriques M, Rodrigues D, Sacadura-Leite E, Viegas S, Serranheira F. Vitamin D status in the active duty Navy military personnel: protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060876. [PMID: 35613805 PMCID: PMC9174767 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-060876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vitamin D is critical for bone health and its deficiency has been linked to increased incidence and severity of multiple diseases. Even so, vitamin D inadequacy is a major public health problem worldwide. The main source of vitamin D is endogenous cutaneous synthesis through exposure to solar ultraviolet B radiation, which is influenced by several factors, including occupational. The active duty Navy military personnel may be prone to vitamin D inadequacy, but a worldwide overview of vitamin D status in this specific population is still lacking. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The CoCoPop mnemonic will be used for determining the inclusion criteria. Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed/Medline will be searched for all studies including 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of the active duty Navy military personnel. Data extraction and quality assessment (Joanna Briggs Institute's and Downs and Black checklists) will be performed by two reviewers and data will be synthesised in narrative, tabular and map formats. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study will not involve human or animal subjects and, thus, does not require ethics approval. The outcomes will be disseminated via publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presentation at a scientific conference. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022287057.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Henriques
- Portuguese Navy Research Centre (CINAV), Portuguese Naval Academy, Portuguese Military University Institute (IUM), Almada, Portugal
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diogo Rodrigues
- Portuguese Navy Research Centre (CINAV), Portuguese Naval Academy, Portuguese Military University Institute (IUM), Almada, Portugal
| | - Ema Sacadura-Leite
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Florentino Serranheira
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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