A Saudi Paradox: Sunshine All Year — and Two-Thirds of Us Are Vitamin D Deficient

We live in one of the sunniest places on Earth, yet local studies indicate our vitamin D deficiency is among the highest. How?

The numbers from our own studies

A five-year retrospective study (2017–2021) in Saudi Arabia found vitamin D deficiency (below 30 ng/mL) at 67.3%^[1]. A meta-analysis estimated deficiency in the general Saudi population at about 63.6%^[2], while a systematic review of 2011–2016 studies reached 81% (using a below-50 nmol/L threshold)^[3]. Deficiency is more pronounced in women and younger age groups^[2],[4].

Why, despite the sun?

Local studies explain the paradox through lifestyle: avoiding the sun during the hottest hours, spending most of the day inside air-conditioned buildings and cars, and clothing that covers the skin — so the sun shines on the city, not on our skin^[3],[4].

What to do practically

1. Test before you supplement: a vitamin D test is simple, and the dose depends on your result — high doses taken at random are not "all benefit".
2. Smart sun: a few minutes for the arms early in the morning or late afternoon beats nothing, and requires no standing in midday heat.
3. From the plate too: oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel), eggs and fortified dairy all contribute — and the FitCal coach can suggest them within your calories.