Young Indian women sought for research

An Auckland based researcher is seeking young Indian women aged between 20-29 years for a project aimed at detecting the consequences of Vitamin D deficiency.

Pamela von Hurst, Assistant Lecturer at Massey University Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health in Albany said that she had detected in an earlier study high incidence of Vitamin D deficiency and low bone density among South Asian women.

In a secondary study, she had examined the status of vitamin D and bone mineral density among women in the 20-29 year age group and found they had significantly lower bone mineral density than was normal for their age.

Ms von Hurst said that previous studies had indicated that many people were failing to achieve good vitamin D levels, which potentially affected their long-term health.

Her ‘Surya Study’ had investigated the effects of improving vitamin D status through supplementation on insulin resistance and bone health of South Asian women living in New Zealand.

“The consequences of inadequate vitamin D are known to extend beyond poor bone health. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in age-related muscle loss, cancer, heart disease, autoimmune conditions and ‘Type 2 Diabetes.’

“In New Zealand, the prevalence of some of these diseases in South Asians is considerably higher than that of the general population,” she said.

The new project, called, ‘Kalya Study,’ will test the nutritional status of 150 women in the prescribed age group comprising people of European, Indian, Korean and Chinese origin.

“We do not have sufficient number of Indian, Korean and Chinese women. We would appreciate if those based in Auckland volunteered for the project,” she said.

Those interested may contact her at kalya_study@massey.ac.nz

Ms von Hurst recently won a ‘Food Standards Australia New Zealand Award’ for her work at the New Zealand Dietetic Association’s conference, as well as this year’s ‘New Horizons for Women Trust Research Award. 

The picture appearing here shows Nutrition researcher Pamela von Hurst monitoring a bone scan at the Human Nutrition Research Unit. Inset: Pamela von Hurst