IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v15y2018i11p2503-d181521.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Vitamin D Status and Analysis of Specific Correlates in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Croatia

Author

Listed:
  • Zeljka Karin

    (Teaching Institute of Public Health of Split Dalmatian County, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Barbara Gilic

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Daniela Supe Domic

    (Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Zdenko Sarac

    (School of Medicine, University of Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

  • Katarina Ercegovic

    (Teaching Institute of Public Health of Split Dalmatian County, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Natasa Zenic

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Ognjen Uljevic

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Mia Peric

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Josko Markic

    (Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
    School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a globally important problem, particularly in children, but there is a lack of information regarding this deficiency in preschool children from southeastern Europe. This study aimed to establish the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and associations of gender, time spent outdoors, physical activity (PA), and body mass index (as predictors) with the 25(OH)D level (outcome) in healthy preschool children. The participants were preschoolers (all 5–6 years of age) from southern Croatia. All the participants were tested during their mandatory medical examination 6–7 months prior to school enrollment. The PA was obtained using the preschool-age physical activity questionnaire (Pre-PAQ), which categorizes PA into five levels (from sedentary to vigorous PA). The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was high: 58% of the children had 25(OH)D levels of <50 nmol/L (deficiency), and an additional 29% had an insufficient level of 25(OH)D (50–75 nmol/L). Boys had higher levels of 25(OH)D than girls. A multinomial regression using 25(OH)D categories as the outcome and a sufficient level (>75 nmol/L) as the reference value identified gender as the only significant predictor of 25(OH)D status, with boys being at lower risk for 25(OH)D deficiency than girls. These results showed a high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in preschoolers from the southern part of Croatia, which is additionally alarming based on the geographical position of the studied region (42° N) and its high number of sunshine hours (>2600 h per year). Future studies examining other potential correlates of 25(OH)D in the region are warranted.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeljka Karin & Barbara Gilic & Daniela Supe Domic & Zdenko Sarac & Katarina Ercegovic & Natasa Zenic & Ognjen Uljevic & Mia Peric & Josko Markic, 2018. "Vitamin D Status and Analysis of Specific Correlates in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Croatia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:11:p:2503-:d:181521
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/11/2503/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/11/2503/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kyung-Jin Yeum & Byeng Chun Song & Nam-Seok Joo, 2016. "Impact of Geographic Location on Vitamin D Status and Bone Mineral Density," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Stanisław H. Czyż & Abel L. Toriola & Wojciech Starościak & Marek Lewandowski & Yvonne Paul & Adewale L. Oyeyemi, 2017. "Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, or Diet—What Are the Correlates of Obesity in Polish School Children?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Katarzyna Zadka & Ewelina Pałkowska-Goździk & Danuta Rosołowska-Huszcz, 2018. "The State of Knowledge about Nutrition Sources of Vitamin D, Its Role in the Human Body, and Necessity of Supplementation among Parents in Central Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-10, July.
    4. Ilona Bidzan-Bluma & Małgorzata Lipowska, 2018. "Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning of Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mikołaj Kamiński & Magdalena Molenda & Agnieszka Banaś & Aleksandra Uruska & Dorota Zozulińska-Ziółkiewicz, 2020. "Determinants of Vitamin D Supplementation among Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Rosario Padial-Ruz & Mª Esther Puga-González & Álvaro Céspedes-Jiménez & David Cabello-Manrique, 2021. "Determining Factors in the Use of Urban Parks That Influence the Practice of Physical Activity in Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-23, March.
    3. Francesca Latino & Francesco Tafuri, 2023. "Physical Activity and Academic Performance in School-Age Children: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Raquel Pérez-Ordás & Javier Piñeiro-Cossio & Óscar Díaz-Chica & Ester Ayllón-Negrillo, 2022. "Relevant Variables in the Stimulation of Psychological Well-Being in Physical Education: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-26, July.
    5. Aaron P. Wood & Vincenzo G. Nocera & Tyler J. Kybartas & Dawn P. Coe, 2020. "Physical Activity and Cognitive Aspects of Self-Regulation in Preschool-Aged Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.
    6. Manuel Ávila-García & María Esojo-Rivas & Emilio Villa-González & Pablo Tercedor & Francisco Javier Huertas-Delgado, 2021. "Relationship between Sedentary Time, Physical Activity, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, March.
    7. Evelien Iliano & Melanie Beeckman & Julie Latomme & Greet Cardon, 2022. "The GRANDPACT Project: The Development and Evaluation of an Intergenerational Program for Grandchildren and Their Grandparents to Stimulate Physical Activity and Cognitive Function Using Co-Creation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-26, June.
    8. Eva-Carin Lindgren & Katarina Haraldsson & Linn Håman, 2019. "Voices from Pupil Participation in the Health Promotion Intervention “Pulse for Learning and Health [PuLH]” in Primary and Middle School," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-16, November.
    9. Junghyae Lee & John Hoornbeek & Namkyung Oh, 2020. "Social Cognitive Orientations, Social Support, and Physical Activity among at-Risk Urban Children: Insights from a Structural Equation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.
    10. Falonn Contreras-Osorio & Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo & Enrique Cerda-Vega & Rodrigo Campos-Jara & Cristian Martínez-Salazar & Rodrigo Araneda & Daniela Ebner-Karestinos & Cristián Arellano-Roco & Christ, 2022. "Effects of Sport-Based Exercise Interventions on Executive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-19, October.
    11. Angelika Cisek-Woźniak & Kinga Mruczyk & Rafał W. Wójciak, 2021. "The Association between Physical Activity and Selected Parameters of Psychological Status and Dementia in Older Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-15, July.
    12. Falonn Contreras-Osorio & Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán & Enrique Cerda-Vega & Luis Chirosa-Ríos & Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo & Christian Campos-Jara, 2022. "Effects of the Type of Sports Practice on the Executive Functions of Schoolchildren," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, March.
    13. Ilona Bidzan-Bluma, 2021. "Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Donor and Recipient and Their Subsequent Cognitive Functioning in Late Childhood as Juvenile Athletes—A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-10, March.
    14. Ana R. Alves & Renata Dias & Henrique P. Neiva & Daniel A. Marinho & Mário C. Marques & António C. Sousa & Vânia Loureiro & Nuno Loureiro, 2021. "High-Intensity Interval Training upon Cognitive and Psychological Outcomes in Youth: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-13, May.
    15. Emiliano Mazzoli & Wei-Peng Teo & Jo Salmon & Caterina Pesce & Jason He & Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan & Lisa M. Barnett, 2019. "Associations of Class-Time Sitting, Stepping and Sit-to-Stand Transitions with Cognitive Functions and Brain Activity in Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-20, April.
    16. Giovanni Ottoboni & Andrea Ceciliani & Alessia Tessari, 2021. "The Effect of Structured Exercise on Short-Term Memory Subsystems: New Insight on Training Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-10, July.
    17. David Scott & Peter R. Ebeling, 2019. "Vitamin D and Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-3, March.
    18. Gaye Erkmen Hadi & Mehmet DenktaÅŸ, 2023. "An Investigation of the Relationship among High School Students' Self-Regulation, Free Time Management, and Self-Esteem," Journal of Education and Training Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 11(4), pages 60-72, October.
    19. Francisco José Borrego-Balsalobre & Alfonso Martínez-Moreno & Vicente Morales-Baños & Arturo Díaz-Suárez, 2021. "Influence of the Psychomotor Profile in the Improvement of Learning in Early Childhood Education," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-12, November.
    20. Ismarulyusda Ishak & Nurul Najwa Abdul Rahim & Noor Idaya Salim & Cut Ulfah Nihayati Sholeha Teuku Husaini & Izzati Jamaludin & Hafidzoh Mohamad Khalid & Nur Adeena Ahmad Lutfi & Sayyidah Syathiroh Af, 2022. "Development and Validation of Huffaz ProHealth 1.0 © : A Module to Improve the Well-Being of Tahfiz Students in Selangor, Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-15, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:11:p:2503-:d:181521. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.