Rockell JEP et al. – Tanning but not natural skin color was an important determinant of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). Further study is needed in a population with a higher proportion of darker skin people. Methods
Aim was to determine the association between constitutive (natural) and sun-induced skin color and 25OHD in a group of Pacific People (n=87) and Europeans (n=255) living in NZ (46°S) in summer
Plasma 25OHD was determined and sun-induced (outer fore-arm) and constitutive (upper inner-arm) measured by reflectance colorimetry
Results
Mean (SD) 25OHD was higher in Europeans than Pacific People, 88 (31) nmol/L vs. 75 (34) nmol/L, respectively
Based on constitutive skin color, 35% of participants were very light, 45% light, 16% intermediate, 4% tanned, and 0% brown or dark
Skin color at the forearm but not constitutive skin color was a significant predictor of 25OHD
Each 10° lower skin color value at the forearm (more tanning) was associated with a 5 nmol/L higher 25OHD
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