Research Proposal: Vit-D Deficiency Impact on Indian Community in UK

This research proposal outlines a meta-analysis investigating the prevalence and impact of Vitamin-D deficiency within the Indian subcontinent community in the UK. The study aims to explore the underlying causes of this deficiency, its effects on public health, and potential interventions to mitigate the issue. The methodology involves a deductive approach and a positivism research philosophy, utilizing quantitative data from peer-reviewed journals and articles published between 2011 and 2021. The research will employ a structured search strategy across databases such as PUBMED, Google Scholar, and MDPI, with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure relevant data selection. The ethical considerations emphasize proper referencing and avoidance of data manipulation. The project includes a detailed timeline for completion, from proposal submission to final thesis submission, providing a comprehensive overview of the research process.

Running Head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The prevalence of Vit-D deficiency in the Indian sub-continent community in the UK and its
impact on public health
[Writer Name]
[Institute Name]

Working Title
A meta-analysis of the prevalence of vitamin D (Vitamin-D) insufficiency and its impact
on public health in the Indian subcontinent community in the UK
1. Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background
According to Siddiqee et al. (2021), Vit-D deficiency is affiliated with many
communicable and chronic illnesses. It has been approximated that around one billion
individuals worldwide are diagnosed with Vit-D inadequacy or deficiency (Maier et al., 2021).
This approximation is grounded on the serum levels of 25-hydroxyVit-D [25(OH) D] of 30
ng/ml (McCartney and Byrne, 2020). According to Alsamghan et al. (2020), hydroxyVit-D is
introduced as the serum levels of 25(OH) D lower than 15 ng/ml (37 nmol/1). The condition is
called moderate hydroxyVit-D whenever the levels 25(OH) D range from 8 ng/ml to 15 ng/ml
(20 to 37 nmol/1). However, the condition is severe hydroxyVit-D if 25(OH) D levels become
lower than 8 ng/ml (20 nmol/1). In contrast, Vranić, Mikolašević, and Milić (2019) contended
that levels of 25(OH) D lower than 20 nmol/1 is considered as the Vit-D deficiency condition.
On the contrary, Muneer et al. (2022) depicted that intoxication of Vit-D prevails when serum
levels of 25(OH)D surpass 150 ng/ml.
As per Lucock et al. (2021), Vit-D deficiency is a public health concern since it is a
pandemic. However, it is considered the utmost under-diagnosed and under-treated nutritious
insufficiency in the South Asian community of the UK (Lowe et al., 2010). Moreover, Gupta
(2014) indicated that this deficiency could prevail in people regardless of their gender, age,
geography, and race. According to Shaki et al. (2018), Vit-D is photosynthesised within the skin
on openness to UVB rays. Hence, just exposure to the sun can mitigate Vit-D scarcity in
individuals. On the contrary, this deficiency is still broadly occurred in spite of abundant
sunshine in tropical nations such as India and Pakistan.
Furthermore, de la Puente Yagüe et al. (2020) depicted that Vit-D inadequacy influences
skeletal and extraskeletal illnesses. Attributable to its diverse ramifications on wellbeing, the
pandemic of Vit-D insufficiency in Indian sub-continent community of the UK will probably add
a significant load on the medical care system of the UK (Darling et al., 2018). In addition, social

and cultural taboos frequently decree patterns of the way of life, for example, clothing that might
restrict sun openness and vegetarianism, which surely restricts Vit-D rich dietary possibilities
(Fabry, 2020). Also, another problem that resulted in Vit-D deficiency is the limitation of Vit-D
rich dietary sources, which are overpriced to the vast majority living in the Indian sub-continent
community in the UK (Darling et al., 2020). In contrast, if Vit-D supplements are accessible, the
vast majority do not know they need extra Vit-D. Also, the expense of these supplements is
significantly restrictive to the majority. However, various studies indicated that this deficiency is
easy to fix despite potential adverse impacts on public health of the Indian subcontinent
community in the UK (Lowe et al., 2010; Macdonald, 2013; Roth et al., 2018) For instance, Vit-
D deficiency can be mitigated by exposing oneself to the sun consuming rich foods, including
fortified dairy products and fish. Likewise, Vit-D deficiency can also be reduced by consuming
Vit-D supplements. Moreover, strengthening staple food sources with Vit-D might be a more
practical solution towards accomplishing Vit-D adequacy in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and
Pakistan (Nair et al., 2016; Darling, 2020).
Various studies proposed that Vit-D deficiency can have geographical deviation
(Siddiqee et al., 2021; Darling, 2020; Gupta, 2014). Therefore, albeit Vit-D deficiency is often
reported in the Indian sub-continent community in the UK, the potential negative impacts of this
deficiency and the fundamental factors in terms of care and wellbeing of people concerning the
community mentioned above in the UK are not adequately depicted. Hence, this study proposed
a meta-analysis of the occurrence and influence of Vit-D deficiency in people belonging to the
Indian sub-continent community of the UK to comprehend this gap better.
1.2 Research Aim
The proposed study will explore the occurrence of Vitamin-D deficiency and its influence
on the public health of the Indian sub-continent community within the UK.
1.3 Research objectives
The proposed study will be based on the following objectives:
 To scrutinise the causes that are prevailing the deficiency of Vit-D.
 To observe impacts of Vit-D deficiency on the Indian sub-continent community of the UK?

 To explore the interventions that can mitigate the occurrence of Vit-D deficiency and
improve the wellbeing of people in the UK.
1.4 Research Question
The proposed study will revolve around the following questions:
Q1. What are the reasons that are prevailing the deficiency of Vit-D deficiency?
Q2. How does Vit-D deficiency influence the public health of the Indian sub-continent
community in the UK?

2. Chapter 2: Methodology
2.1 Research Approach
The proposed study will be based on the application of the deductive approach. The
justification for opting deductive approach is because the deductive research approach shifts
from broader generalisations to specific generalisations and theories. This will assist in
specifying the generalisations and viewpoints regarding the prevalence of Vit-D inadequacy in
the Indian sub-continent community in the proposed study, also supported by (Nieli 2016).
Moreover, using the deductive approach in the proposed study will help provide definitive
outcomes regarding the impacts of Vit-D deficit and how these impacts can be mitigated to halt
this disease is becoming a public health concern on a wider level.
2.2 Research Philosophy
The proposed study will use positivism research philosophy because the social domain
regarding Vit-D deficiency in the Indian sub-continent community can be comprehended
unbiasedly. Regarding Nieli (2016), positivists explain this philosophy as an outlook into which
reality is stable or solitary, alluded to and observed from an objective viewpoint. Therefore, easy
generalisation of results through positivism philosophy will assist in depicting trends and
patterns in quantitative data of Vit-D deficiency in the Indian sub-continent community. Besides,
embracing positivism research philosophy in the proposed study will result in significant
strengths and benefits in classifying the outcomes in a set of extrapolations (Arghode, 2012).
Moreover, the proposed study will explore the occurrence and impacts of Vit-D insufficiency in
the Indian sub-continent community, presenting more adequately using positivism philosophy.
This is because it gratifies a solitary realistic point through the shifting environment.
2.3 Data collection
In the proposed study, the data will be collected through previous articles and journals
relevant to Vit-D scarcity in nations like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The articles
from the data will be collected only from quantitative studies. Moreover, the articles will be
assessed from numerous search engines, including CINAHL, PUBMED, and MDPI. Besides, a
few key terms will be used to have relevant results and studies regarding Vit-D deficiency. The
proposed study can articulate the results regarding the Indian sub-continent community living in

the UK. These key terms include “Vit-D deficiency in Indian sub-continent community in the
UK”, “Prevalence of insufficiency of Vit-D in UK’s Indian subcontinent community”,
“Influence of insufficiency of Vit-D”, “causes of insufficiency of Vit-D in Indian sub-continent
community in the UK”, and “remedies for deficiency of Vit-D”. Hence, ten articles will be
selected for the proposed study after incorporating specific key terms and accessing relevant
articles.
2.4 Search Strategy
Identi
ficati
on
Scree
ning
Articles included subsequent to
reading title and abstract
(n = 50)
Screened Articles
(n =150)
Full-text journals and papers skipped
because of methodological reasons
(n =50)
Full-text journals and papers skipped
because of absence of preferred
locations in this meta-analysis
(n =40)
Full-text journals and papers
assessed for worthiness
(n = 100)
Eligi
bility
Inclu
ded
Articles included in this meta-
analysis
(n = 10)
Articles eliminated because
duplication (n = 60)
Articles identified via searching from
databases:
PUBMED, Google Scholar, and MDPI.
(n =210)

2.5 Eligibility criteria
For the acknowledgement of prospective themes that should be involved in the study, the
criteria of inclusion and exclusion will be implemented to the search procedure (Patino and
Ferreira, 2018) that is presented underneath:
Inclusion criteria Exclusion criteria
Journals and papers published in the last
eleven years, i.e. from 2011 to 2021.
Journals and papers published before 2011.
Journals and papers published in the English
language.
Journals and papers published in other
foreign languages.
Peer-reviewed journal and articles. Journals and papers that are not peer-
reviewed.
Articles that involve meta-analyses of
research studies.
Unsuitable articles that were not pertinent to
the topic of interest.
Journals and papers that are easily
accessible and reliable.
Journals and papers are not reliable and
cannot be accessed with ease.
2.6 Data Analysis
In the proposed study, meta-analysis will be used. The reason to opt for meta-analysis for
the proposed study is that it will offer a clear estimate of the effect size and augment the
outcomes generalizability of individual studies regarding Vit-D deficiency in the Indian sub-
continent community in the UK. In this way, it might resolve disputes among studies and result
in effective outcomes when individual researches are indecisive. Besides, a meta-analysis in the
proposed study will draw inferences from the operationalisation of variables and effect sizes,
offering more significant and robust findings that help explore the influences and prevalence of
Vit-D inadequacy.

3. Chapter 3: Ethical Considerations
Doolye et al. (2017) contended that ethical contemplations are essential while carrying
out research. However, since the proposed study will be based on meta-analysis and not involve
any human participation, no critical ethical concerns regarding the individuals’ private
information or informed consent would arise. On the other hand, the ethical considerations
regarding the justice provided to the authors whose studies will be included in the proposed
study will be considered. In this regard, the studies incorporated in the meta-analysis will be
properly referenced and cited with their source. Moreover, any information regarding the impacts
and prevalence of Vit-D deficiency in the chosen location would be mislaid or falsified to
maintain the reliability of the proposed study and preserve ethical research principles.
4. Timeline
Date Description of tasks Time to complete the task
27th December – 31st January Submission of research
proposal
Four days
1st February – 15th February Submission for ethics
approval
Fifteen days
16th February – 16th March Submission of methods draft
for review
One month
17th March – 31st March Data collection (collect
studies and articles to
incorporate in meta-analysis)
Thirteen days
1st April– 31st May Writing the entire thesis
(meta-analysis)
Two months
1st June – 7th June Final thesis submission One week

References
Alsamghan, A.S., Alsaleem, S.A., Alzahrani, M.A., Patel, A., Mallick, A.K. and Sheweita, S.A.,
2020. Effect of Hypovitaminosis D on Lipid Profile in Hypothyroid Patients in Saudi
Arabia. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020.
Arghode, V., 2012. Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Paradigmatic Differences. Global
Education Journal, 2012(4).
Darling, A.L., Blackbourn, D.J., Ahmadi, K.R. and Lanham-New, S.A., 2018. Vitamin D
supplement use and associated demographic, dietary and lifestyle factors in 8024 South
Asians aged 40–69 years: analysis of the UK Biobank cohort. Public health nutrition,
21(14), pp.2678-2688.
Darling, AL, 2020. Vitamin D deficiency in western dwelling South Asian populations: an
unrecognised epidemic. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 79(3), pp.259-271.
de la Puente Yagüe, M., Collado Yurrita, L. and Cuadrado Cenzual, M.A., 2020. Role of vitamin
d in athletes and their performance: Current concepts and new trends. Nutrients, 12(2),
p.579.
Dooly, M., Moore, E., and Vallejo, C., 2017. Research Ethics. Research-publishing. net.
Fabry, V.L., 2020. THE ROLE OF SOCIOCULTURAL ELEMENTS IN FOOD
SECURITY (Doctoral dissertation, Ghent University).
Gupta, A., 2014. Vitamin D deficiency in India: prevalence, causalities and
interventions. Nutrients, 6(2), pp.729-775.
Lowe, N.M., Mitra, S.R., Foster, P.C., Bhojani, I. and McCann, J.F., 2010. Vitamin D status and
markers of bone turnover in Caucasian and South Asian postmenopausal women living in
the UK. British journal of nutrition, 103(12), pp.1706-1710.

Lucock, M.D., Jones, P.R., Veysey, M., Thota, R., Garg, M., Furst, J., Martin, C., Yates, Z.,
Scarlett, C.J., Jablonski, N.G. and Chaplin, G., 2021. Biophysical evidence to support and
extend the vitamin D‐folate hypothesis as a paradigm for the evolution of human skin
pigmentation. American Journal of Human Biology, p.e23667.
Macdonald, H.M., 2013. Contributions of sunlight and diet to vitamin D status. Calcified tissue
international, 92(2), pp.163-176.
Maier, G.S., Weissenberger, M., Rudert, M., Roth, K.E. and Horas, K., 2021. The role of vitamin
D and vitamin D deficiency in orthopaedics and traumatology—a narrative overview of
the literature. Annals of translational medicine, 9(11).
McCartney, D.M. and Byrne, D.G., 2020. Optimisation of vitamin D status for enhanced
immuno-protection against Covid-19. Ir Med J, 113(4), p.58.
Muneer, S., Siddiqui, I., Majid, H., Zehra, N., Jafri, L. and Khan, A.H., 2022. Practices of
vitamin D supplementation leading to vitamin D toxicity: Experience from a Low-Middle
Income Country. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, p.103227.
Nair, M.K., Augustine, L.F. and Konapur, A., 2016. Food-based interventions to modify diet
quality and diversity to address multiple micronutrient deficiency. Frontiers in public
health, 3, p.277.
Nieli, R., 2016. Wittgenstein: From mysticism to ordinary language: A study of Viennese
positivism and the thought of Ludwig Wittgenstein. SUNY Press.
Patino, C.M. and Ferreira, J.C., 2018. Inclusion and exclusion criteria in research studies:
definitions and why they matter. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 44, pp.84-84.
Roth, D.E., Abrams, S.A., Aloia, J., Bergeron, G., Bourassa, M.W., Brown, K.H., Calvo, M.S.,
Cashman, K.D., Combs, G., De-Regil, L.M. and Jefferds, ME, 2018. Global prevalence
and disease burden of vitamin D deficiency: a roadmap for action in low-and middle-
income countries. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1430(1), p.44.
Shaki, O., Rai, S.K., Kashid, M. and Chakrabarty, B.K., 2018. Prevalence of osteoporosis in
peri-and post-menopausal women in slum area of Mumbai, India. Journal of mid-life
health, 9(3), p.117.

Siddiqee, M.H., Bhattacharjee, B., Siddiqi, U.R. and Rahman, M.M., 2021. High prevalence of
vitamin D deficiency among the South Asian adults: A systematic review and meta-
analysis.
Vranić, L., Mikolašević, I. and Milić, S., 2019. Vitamin D deficiency: consequence or cause of
obesity?. Medicina, 55(9), p.541.