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

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 ind...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health education journal 2012-07, Vol.71 (4), p.474-482
Main Authors: Oudshoorn, Christian, Hartholt, Klaas A, van Leeuwen, Johannes PTM, Colin, Edgar M, van der Velde, Nathalie, van der Cammen, Tischa JM
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aging (Individuals)
Biochemistry
Calcium
Case Studies
Correlation
Cross-sectional analysis
Diet
Elderly people
Geriatrics
Health Education
Health information
Intervention
Knowledge
Knowledge Level
Nutrition
Older Adults
Older people
Prevention
Public health
Questionnaires
Residential Care
Serum
Surveys
Vitamin D
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Summary: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 25-hydroxyvitamin 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 per cent 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 < 0.0001) and a higher daily dietary calcium intake (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Given the poor knowledge on vitamin D and calcium and the observed associations, improving health knowledge could be a possible intervention to improve vitamin D status and calcium intake in older people. Further studies are needed to assess whether education will indeed lead to improvement of vitamin D levels and calcium intake in this age group.
ISSN:0017-8969
1748-8176
DOI:10.1177/0017896911406965