Vitamin D status and associated occupational factors in Korean wage workers: data from the 5th Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (KNHANES 2010–2012)

• Published in: Annals of occupational and environmental medicine Vol. 26; no. 1; p. 28
• Main Authors: Jeong, Harin, Hong, Sujin, Heo, Yunjeong, Chun, Hosun, Kim, Daeseong, Park, Jongtae, Kang, Mo-yeol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 16.09.2014; BioMed Central Ltd; 대한직업환경의학회
• Subjects: Analysis; Health aspects; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Public Health; Research Article; Risk factors; Surveys; Type 2 diabetes; 예방의학; South Korea; Vitamin D deficiency; KNHANES; Indoor work; Office work; Shift work
• ISSN: 2052-4374; 2052-4374
• DOI: 10.1186/s40557-014-0028-x

Objectives Vitamin D deficiency is increasing worldwide. However, few studies have attempted to examine the vitamin D status of wage workers and the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and working conditions. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the association between occupational conditions and vitamin D deficiency among Korean wage workers. Methods Wage workers aged 20–65 years from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2010–2012; n = 5409) were included in our analysis. We measured the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and identified the correlations with the working conditions of these subjects. Results The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in male and female subjects was 69.5% and 83.1%, respectively. Among the male subjects, a significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and working conditions was observed among shift workers, office workers, and permanent workers. No significant correlation with any type of working conditions was observed among female subjects. Conclusion The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Korean wage workers was very high and was found to correlate significantly with working conditions, likely because of insufficient exposure to sunlight associated with certain types of work. Wage workers require more frequent outdoor activity and nutrition management to maintain sufficient vitamin D level.