Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 65 No. 2, 2021.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2021.10
Association of vitamin D insufficiency and low physical activity with fatigue, headaches and psychological distress in college students, North-Mediterranean Croatia – a pilot study
Tatjana Kehler Kehler
orcid.org/0000-0001-6769-5263
Tanja Grubić Kezele
Ariana Fužinac Smojver
Tamara Kauzlarić-Živković
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate serum vitamin D level in undergraduate students of health studies and its relationship with
the frequency of vitamin D rich food consumption, sun exposure, study-related fatigue, headache and psychopathological status,
and the relationship of the latter three parameters with the type of physical activity. A blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D),
Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, Clinical Outcomes in
Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), nutrition and physical activity were surveyed in randomly chosen students.
Study results showed that 49% of students had 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency. The MIDAS values were higher in the insufficient/
deficient group (p=0.035) and were associated with hours of weekly cardio exercises (r=-0.48, p=0.031). CORE-OM and total fatigue
correlated with 25(OH)D (r=-0.59, p=0.024; r=0.51, p=0.023). Students with sufficient 25(OH)D had a significantly higher vitamin D
intake by consuming sardines in their monthly nutrition (p=0.048). 25(OH)D correlated with the amount of monthly consumed
sardines (r=0.59, p=0.006) in general. Our results provide initial evidence that an appropriate lifestyle along with proper physical
activity, especially cardio exercise, and vitamin D rich nutrition is important to reduce fatigue, headaches and psychological distress.
Keywords
DEPRESSION; FATIGUE; HEADACHE; EXERCISE; VITAMIN D
Hrčak ID:
260300
URI
Publication date:
9.7.2021.
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