Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and anthropometric indices among institutionalized elderly people in Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

Elderly people in institutionalized home care might have the risk of getting certain nutrient deficiencies due to lack of food intake and comorbidities. This study was intended to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among institutionalized elderly people and association between anthropometric indices with serum 25(OH)D level. 47 elderly people from Kelantan, age 60 years and above were interviewed for socio-demographic data and anthropometry measurements. The mean serum 25(OH)D level among elderly was 54.9 +/- 19.4 nmol/l shows most of the elderly in this study were in hypovitaminosis D status (83%), but none were classified having vitamin D deficiency. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was not prevalent among institutionalized elderly in Malaysia and nutritional status has no or less effect on serum 25(OH)D level.