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Validation of a Sun Exposure Questionnaire Among Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Residing in South Florida

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Abstract

To validate a sun exposure questionnaire against objective measures of change in skin color and to assess its validity in predicting 25(OH)D in a sample of African Americans and Hispanics with type 2 diabetes. Ninety subjects were enrolled. The sun exposure score was calculated by multiplying the time spent outdoors times the skin exposed score. Skin color was determined by reflectance colorimetry. The relationship between serum 25(OH)D, skin exposure score and stomach skin color was evaluated by a multi-linear regression model. The unadjusted model showed that skin exposure score (P = 0.037), and stomach skin color (P = 0.021) were associated with serum 25(OH)D. This relationship remained significant only for stomach skin color (P = 0.020) after controlling for covariates. It may be possible that the color of the skin is a better predictor of 25(OH)D in this particular population than sun exposure behaviors.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a grant from NIH/MBRS/SCORE AC# 124401529/42. JCE was supported by NIH/NIGMS R25 GM061347.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel School of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, AHC I - 435, 11200 S. W. 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Joel C. Exebio, Gustavo G. Zarini, Sahar Ajabshir, Janet Antwi & Fatma G. Huffman

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  1. Joel C. Exebio
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  2. Gustavo G. Zarini
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  3. Sahar Ajabshir
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  4. Janet Antwi
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  5. Fatma G. Huffman
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Correspondence to Fatma G. Huffman.

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Exebio, J.C., Zarini, G.G., Ajabshir, S. et al. Validation of a Sun Exposure Questionnaire Among Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Residing in South Florida. J Immigrant Minority Health 18, 228–233 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0163-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0163-7

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