Abstract

THE IMPACT OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND NUTRITIONAL HABITS ON HEIGHT AND HEALTH AMONG YEMENI ADULT FEMALE STUDENTS IN SANA'A, YEMEN

Maged Alwan Noman, Abdalwali Ahmed Saif , Mahmoud Mahyoob Alburyhi*

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D plays a critical role in maintaining bone health, immune function, and overall physiological balance. However, its deficiency remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young women. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and explore its association with nutritional habits, height, and general health status among female university students at Al-Saeeda University in Sana’a, Yemen. The study was conducted between January and April 2025 using a paper self-administered questionnaire. A total of 244 female students aged 18–30 years from various academic disciplines were randomly selected to participate. The mean age (SD) of participants 21.71 ± 3.58 years. The findings revealed that 67.62% of students reported symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, but only 34.43% had undergone testing. Limited sun exposure, poor dietary intake of vitamin D-rich foods, and low calcium intake were identified as key risk factors. Asignificant association was observed between vitamin D deficiency and reduced height, with 62.29% of participants classified as below-normal height. The standard deviation for height among participants was (155.90 ± 5.91 cm), indicating variability in the sample's growth patterns. This suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to impaired bone growth in young women. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness, improving access to testing, and promoting healthier lifestyle habits to prevent long-term health issues associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Keywords: Awareness, Pharmacists, Healthcare, Vitamin D, Deficiency.