Could Dressing Conservatively Make Muslim Women Sick?

Of 178 conservatively-dressing Moslem women studied by researchers at the United Arab Emirates University, only two were not deficient in vitamin D. Sunlight stimulates production of the vitamin, which protects against bone and muscle problems and may reduce risks of cancer, high blood pressure and immune system disorders.

"When sunlight exposure -- the main source for vitamin D in humans -- is limited," Dr. Hussein F. Saadi told Reuters Health, "much higher dietary intake of vitamin D is needed than currently recommended," especially for women who are breast-feeding. [...]

Many [of the women in the study] dressed to cover their whole bodies, including their hands and faces, while outside of their homes.

While the researchers recommend vitamin supplements for women who follow such a severe sartorial regime, I can think of a few other approaches to the problem....

Middle Eastern women may have vitamin D deficiency [Reuters]