| The prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D has been increasing in the United States in recent years. Low serum Vitamin D levels are associated with health repercussions such as gastrointestinal tract malabsorption, osteoporosis, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus. Using the advanced epidemiological model as a theoretical framework, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between poverty income ratio (PIR) and serum Vitamin D levels using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. Logistic and linear regression models identified a statistically significant relationship between PIR and serum Vitamin D levels controlling for sociodemographic covariates when measured dichotomously or continuously. When PIR and serum Vitamin D levels were measured dichotomously, body mass index, race, and health insurance status were found to be statistically significant predictors. When PIR and serum Vitamin D were measured continuously, age, body mass index, race, health insurance status, and educational attainment were found to be statistically significant predictors of inadequate serum Vitamin D level. The results of this study indicate that poverty income ratio can play an important role in identifying at risk populations for serum Vitamin D inadequacy. This study may drive positive social change by facilitating public health professionals and health care providers to identify individuals and populations who are potentially at higher risk of serum Vitamin D inadequacy, thereby helping develop and implement interventions that assist to address social disparities in Vitamin D inadequacy and disease risk. |
