86 pc children in TN face risk of Vitamin D deficiency

Chennai:

Parents now have to think twice before locking up their children
indoors during the summer.



While it may be feasible to keep the children indoors to protect them
from the scorching sun and rising temperature, a study reveals that
denying children a little sunshine could prove detrimental to their
health.



A Pilot Study of Iron Deficiency Anemia, Vitamin D Status and Health
Awareness in children of Tamil Nadu, which was conducted by Kanchi
Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital and The Childs Trust Medical Research
foundation, and sponsored by state planning commission, reveals that
despite abundant sunshine in the state there is a high prevalence of
Vitamin D deficiency as children do not spend time playing outdoors.



The study of 1,010 children from Chengalpet, Thiruvannamalai,
Cuddalore, Thiruallur and Kanchipuram, Arakkonam, Kumbakonam, Vellore
and Chennai peripheral area found that 86 per cent of children had
inadequate sunlight exposure which is indicative of changing lifestyle
and could be a significant risk factor for Vitamin D deficiency.



The Vitamin D deficiency is likely to play an important role in the
very high prevalence of rickets, osteoporosis, cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, cancer and infections such as tuberculosis in
India.



According to another study ‘Vitamin D Deficiency in India: Prevalence,
Causalities and Interventions’, published in scientific journal
Nutrients, a minimum of 45 minutes of “direct sun exposure” is
required daily to bare face, arms and legs.

However, with the exception of those who perforce need to work
outdoors in the sun, most Indians do not get adequate exposure to
ultra violet rays.



The study by Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital says that most of
the children had inadequate sunlight exposure (less than 30 minutes
per week).



“Most of the children have negligible sunlight exposure only between
3pm to 5pm during which cutaneous production of Vitamin D is
inefficient,” the study stated.



“The best time for ultra violet light exposure for cutaneous synthesis
of Vitamin D is between 10am and 2 pm. But most school children are
unfortunately in their shady classrooms than outdoors on school days
and in front of TV screens indoors on holidays at home,” the study
stated.



The study has urged the schools to implement outdoor physical
education sessions to be held between 10am to 2pm ensuring at least 30
minute sunlight exposure per week to prevent Vitamin D deficiency in
children.



The big issue of lack of sunlight exposure is also blamed on
urbanisation. Most of the dwellings in the city lack proper sunlight.
Besides there is limited options for outdoor actiities. Even the
undying desire of most Chennaites to attain a fairer skin complexion
instantly extinguish any desire for sun exposure, and a person’s
primary focus is on finding ways to avoid the sun, at all costs.



The current solution could be that children should be allowed to play
outdoors exposing them to sun rather than relaxing indoors and
watching television.



Factfile:

-- 86 per cent of children have inadequate exposure to sunlight and
are at risk being Vitamin D deficient

--- Physical education sessions in schools are held during afternoons
thus limiting efficient sunlight exposure between 10am to 2pm

--- A minimum of 45 minutes of “direct sun exposure” is required daily
to bare face, arms and legs.

-- Most of the children have inadequate sunlight exposure (less than
30 minutes per week).

-- most of the multi-storeyed buildings lack proper sunlight

--- Lack of outdoor facilities for children in cities