Prevalence and factors associated with vitamin D inadequacy in the older adult population: a study of two distinct localities in South Sulawesi

Abstract

Vitamin D inadequacy remains a health issue in the older adult population of Indonesia. Vitamin D has skeletal and non-skeletal effects, that can significantly improve the quality of life of older adults. Various factors associated with inadequate vitamin D levels are evaluated in this study. To determine the prevalence and factors associated with vitamin D inadequacy in the older adult population across two distinct localities in South Sulawesi. This was a cross - sectional study using multistage cluster random sampling conducted in Makassar City and East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province, from December 2024 to May 2025. Sociodemographic data and risk factors were collected using questionnaires, and serum vitamin D levels were measured using the Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) method. A total of 301 subjects met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a median age of 68 (64–73) years and were predominantly female (62.79%). The prevalence of Vitamin D inadequacy was 53.5%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low sun exposure [PR: 2.226 95% CI (1.731–2.862)], sedentary physical activity [ PR: 1.548 95% CI (1.159–2.067)], living in an urban area [PR: 1.356 95% CI (1.083–1.697)], and a history of falls [PR: 1.257 95% CI (1.047–1.553)] are independent variables significantly associated with vitamin D inadequacy. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in the older adult population of South Sulawesi is 53.5%. Factors independently associated with vitamin D inadequacy are low sun exposure, sedentary physical activity, living in an urban area, and a history of falls.