Vitamin D Deficiency among Female Students in the University of Kerbala and its Association with Body Mass Index and Other Factors

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common among Iraqi females and has been linked to various diseases. Although associated with lower weight, there is no evidence that it causes weight gain in young females.Objective: To determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among female university students and explore its association with obesity, sun exposure, dietary habits, and physical activity.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Kerbala (April–May 2024) on 200 female students. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured, and data were analysed using nonparametric tests and Spearman’s correlation, with significance set at a P-value < 0.05.Results: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels indicated sufficiency in 22.5% and deficiency in 64% of participants. The mean body mass index (BMI) of students was 25.38 ± 5.60 kg/m². Vitamin D levels differed significantly across colleges (P-value = 0.036), with engineering students showing the lowest values. No association was found between vitamin D and BMI (P-value > 0.05). However, sun exposure and a healthy diet were positively correlated with higher vitamin D levels (P-value < 0.05).Conclusion: Over 60% of participants had vitamin D deficiency. No significant correlation was found between high BMI and vitamin D status. Implementing educational programs promoting outdoor activity, sun exposure, and a vitamin D-rich diet is recommended.