Sun Exposure Characteristics among the Indian Population Who Are at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: Evidence suggests a beneficial effect of sun exposure on type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However, little is known about the characteristics of sun exposure among DM patients or individuals at risk of developing DM. The aim of this study was to analyze the sun exposure behaviors of individuals diagnosed with DM and those susceptible to developing DM within a semi-urban community in North India. Materials and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in northern India with 494 participants aged 25–60, with or without DM. The participants’ sun exposure characteristics were assessed through a sunlight exposure questionnaire, and total sun exposure in a day was computed using the veritable sun exposure (VSE) index. Fasting blood sugar, anthropometric measurements, and demographic details were also collected. Results: The study had 56.5% female participants, and 9.1% of the participants had DM. The VSE of the study participants ranged from 0.01 to 0.81, with a mean of 0.15 (±0.14) and a median of 0.10, indicating that more than half of the study samples had less than 10% h/day of sunlight exposure. The use of sunscreen, gender, and disease status all influenced VSE. Our data suggest that the characteristics of sun exposure among Indians significantly deviate from standard recommendations. Conclusion: Our results propose a need for evidence-based guidelines and policies that promote awareness about sun exposure among DM patients as well as those at risk of developing DM. Nevertheless, these findings need to be validated through large-scale observational studies.

Keywords

• fasting blood glucose; sun exposure; sunscreen; type 2 diabetes mellitus; vitamin d