Ever heard of a Vitamin D deficiency? Pregnant women in Singapore are lacking in this micronutrient, which is important for bone health and supporting the immune system, and has a role to play in the health of a mother and her unborn baby.
This finding was revealed in a multi-country study involving 1,700 women between 18 and 38 years old in Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK).
Researchers found that nine out of 10 women in these countries had marginal or low levels of Vitamin D (as well as B vitamins such as folate, riboflavin and Vitamin B1), around the time of conception.
The study was a collaboration between universities in the three countries (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore, the University of Auckland and the University of Southampton), as well as Singapore’s National University Hospital, and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, and the UK’s National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre.
The World Health Organization says it’s common for pregnant women to be deficient in Vitamin A, iron and folate due to the mother and baby’s increased nutrient requirements.
However, Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in Singapore might come as a surprise. Vitamin D is produced in the skin upon exposure to the sun – and sunshine is something Singapore has plenty of.
WHY SINGAPORE WOMEN ARE DEFICIENT IN VITAMIN D
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour. “Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,” she said.
