VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND DIETARY HABITS OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN IN RURAL OF MOROCCO

Background and objectives: Micronutrients deficiencies can affect the growth and development of children. In Morocco many clinical studies showed that vitamin D deficiency is a public health problem. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D and foods that are fortified with vitamin D can't satisfy human vitamin D requirement.The aim of this study is to determine vitamin D, socio-economic status and dietary habits of schoolchildren in a rural region of Morocco. Methods: In an observational study, 191 school children aged 7-9 years selected from 3 primary schools. Weight, height, age and sex were recorded. Fasting blood samples were taken to assess vitamin D as serum [25(OH) D] concentration and questionnaires were used to determine socio-economic status and food frequency. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in schoolchildren; 65.8% of subjects had a 25 OHD