Have you heard of vitamin D deficiency? Pregnant women in Singapore are deficient in this micronutrient, which is important for bone health and immune system support and plays a role in the health of the mother and fetus.
The findings were made in a multi-country study of 1,700 women aged 18 to 38 from Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK).
Researchers found that 9 out of 10 women in these countries have marginal or low levels of vitamin D (as well as B vitamins such as folic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B1) around the time of pregnancy. did.
The study was a collaboration between universities in three countries (National University of Singapore Yong Lu Lin School of Medicine, University of Auckland and University of Southampton), the National University Hospital of Singapore and the Agency for Science. Technology and Research, and the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre.
The World Health Organization states that it is common for pregnant women to be deficient in vitamin A, iron, and folic acid due to the increased nutritional requirements of mothers and babies.
But vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in Singapore may be surprising. Vitamin D is produced in the skin when exposed to the sun. Singapore has a lot of sunshine.
Why are Singaporean women deficient in vitamin D?
Jennifer Sim, senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said you should get at least five to 30 minutes of sunlight at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advises that you try to get sunlight on your arms and legs between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we are not exposed to at least this amount of sun is our sun protection behavior. “Using sunscreen or an umbrella, staying indoors or seeking shade, and wearing long sleeves can interfere with sunlight as a source of vitamin D,” she says.
