Abstract
Aim
An inverse relationship exists between vitamin D levels and diabetes mellitus. However,
little is known about the correlation of sun exposure habits and type 2 diabetes mellitus
(DM).
Methods
A South Swedish cohort study comprising 1000 women from each age group between 25
and 64 (n = 40,000) drawn from the Southern Swedish population registry 1990–1992. At the inception
of the study 74% answered the inquiry (n = 29,518) and provided detailed information on their sun exposure habits and other variables.
A follow-up inquiry was sent 2000–2002 which 24,098 women answered. The mean follow-up
time was 11 years. Logistic regression analysis was used and the main outcome was
the relationship between type 2 DM and sun exposure habits.
Results
Our findings indicated that women with active sun exposure habits were at a 30% lower
risk of having DM, as compared to those with non-active habits. There was an inverse
relation between this risk reduction and BMI.
Conclusion
Our investigation gives possible epidemiological explanation to ethnic and seasonal
differences in type 2 DM and metabolic control. The study supports that sunlight is
involved in the glucose metabolism.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 12, 2010
Accepted:
June 7,
2010
Received in revised form:
May 28,
2010
Received:
April 1,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
