Vitamin D Status and Its Association with Multiple Intelligence among Arab Adolescents

Ahmed S. Mohammed Metwally, Sobhy M. Yakout, Malak N. K. Khattak, Ghadah Alkhaldi and Nasser M. Al-Daghri
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Ahmed S. Mohammed Metwally: Department of Mathematics, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Sobhy M. Yakout: Biochemistry Department, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Malak N. K. Khattak: Biochemistry Department, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Ghadah Alkhaldi: Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Nasser M. Al-Daghri: Biochemistry Department, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-9

Abstract: Studies investigating the association of vitamin D on intelligence is limited. The present study therefore aims to determine the association of vitamin D status with the different domains of intelligence among Saudi Arabian adolescents. This study used relational survey method among 1864 Saudi adolescent, including 549 boys and 1315 girls (mean age 14.7 ± 1.7 years) recruited using a multistage, stratified cluster randomization of 47 public and private schools in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. A general questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. Intelligence was assessed using multiple intelligence inventory. Anthropometrics were measured and fasting blood samples collected for assessment of glucose and lipid profile. Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/L) was observed in 84.2% of boys and 93.5% of girls. Girls had higher levels of verbal, kinesthetic, musical, naturalist and existential intelligence than boys, while boys have higher logical intelligence than girls ( p -values < 0.05). Mixed regression analysis controlled for age, BMI and sex revealed that kinesthetic intelligence was significantly associated with 25(OH)D in boys (β 5.6 (2.8–8.5; p < 0.001)) and inversely associated with musical intelligence (β −1.2 (−2.3–0.1; p = 0.03)) and positively with naturalist (β 2.3 (0.5–4.2; p = 0.01)) in girls. Vitamin D status is associated with several domains of intelligence in adolescents and is sex-specific. Development a specific domain of intelligence may indirectly affect vitamin D status among adolescents, but needs to be proven prospectively.

Keywords: secondary school; multiple intelligence; vitamin D (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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