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{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=3|References=4}}
{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=4|References=4}}
<metadesc>Ill health effects of Islamic Dress in relation to Vitamin D levels.</metadesc>
<metadesc>Ill health effects of Islamic Dress in relation to Vitamin D levels.</metadesc>
[[File:Burqa9.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Burqa, an example  of "full hijab", can contribute significantly to certain health problems (''[[Images:Hijab|more images]]'').]]
[[File:Burqa9.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Burqa, an example  of "full hijab", can contribute significantly to certain health problems (''[[Images:Hijab|more images]]'').]]
This article discusses the potential and observed effects the [[Hijab]] has on the [[health]] of [[Islam and Women|women]] who choose, are pressured, or are forced to wear it.
The common practice of [[Hijab]] has effects on the [[health]] of [[Islam and Women|women]] who choose, are pressured, or are forced to wear it.
==Hijab==
==Hijab==


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Since almost all the daily intake of Vitamin D is from sunlight, exposure there is significant concern for women who wear the burqa or "full hijab". This style of dress, leaving only a very small portion of skin around the eyes exposed, greatly reduces the surface area of the body which sunlight is exposed to and hence reduces the amount of Vitamin D synthesized. Such low rates of Vitamin D production will quickly exhaust the bodies excess emergency stores of Vitamin D contained in the fat and the person will likely go into a deficient state.
Since almost all the daily intake of Vitamin D is from sunlight, exposure there is significant concern for women who wear the burqa or "full hijab". This style of dress, leaving only a very small portion of skin around the eyes exposed, greatly reduces the surface area of the body which sunlight is exposed to and hence reduces the amount of Vitamin D synthesized. Such low rates of Vitamin D production will quickly exhaust the bodies excess emergency stores of Vitamin D contained in the fat and the person will likely go into a deficient state.


Due to this reason, serious vitamin D deficiency is wide-spread in many Muslim majority countries. A study performed by doctors at King Fahd University Hospital in Saudi Arabia, showed that out of all 52 women tested, ''all'' had seriously deficient levels of Vitamin D and were at risk of many serious health problems, despite living in one of the sunniest places on the planet.<ref>Elsammak, M.Y., et al., Vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabs. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 2010. 42(5): p. 364-368.</ref> Furthermore, in a study undertaken in [[Jordan]], 83.3% of women wearing the most covering style of Islamic dresses were found to be deficient in summer time. This is rather striking when compared to the fact only 18.2% of Jordanian men studied were found to be deficient.<ref>Mishal, A.A., Effects of Different Dress Styles on Vitamin D Levels in Healthy Young Jordanian Women. Osteoporosis International, 2001. 12(11): p. 931-935.</ref> Jordan, like Saudi Arabia, holds the distinction of being one of the sunniest places on the planet, so the effect of wearing the burqa on Vitamin D levels and health is profound.
Due to this reason, serious vitamin D deficiency is wide-spread in many Muslim majority countries. A study performed by doctors at King Fahd University Hospital in Saudi Arabia, showed that out of all 52 women tested, ''all'' had seriously deficient levels of Vitamin D and were at risk of many serious health problems, despite living in one of the sunniest places on the planet.<ref>Elsammak, M.Y., et al., Vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabs. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 2010. 42(5): p. 364-368.</ref> Furthermore, in a study undertaken in Jordan, 83.3% of women wearing the most covering style of Islamic dresses were found to be deficient in summer time. This is rather striking when compared to the fact only 18.2% of Jordanian men studied were found to be deficient.<ref>Mishal, A.A., Effects of Different Dress Styles on Vitamin D Levels in Healthy Young Jordanian Women. Osteoporosis International, 2001. 12(11): p. 931-935.</ref> Jordan, like Saudi Arabia, holds the distinction of being one of the sunniest places on the planet, so the effect of wearing the burqa on Vitamin D levels and health is profound.


====Effect of Ethnicity and Migration====
====Effect of Ethnicity and Migration====
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This is further evidenced by numerous scientific studies. A study was undertaken in ''Dearborn, Michigan'', the most-concentrated Arab-American settlement in the United States to assess the relationship between Vitamin D levels and Islamic dress choice in migrant Arab-American Muslim women. The average vitamin D level was found to be 4 ng/ml in  veiled women who undertook ''no'' vitamin D supplementation and 7 ng/ml in women who wore the same style veil but chose to take supplements.<ref>Hobbs, R., et al., Severe Vitamin D Deficiency in Arab-American Women Living in Dearborn, Michigan. Endocrine Practice, 2009. 15(1): p. 35-40.</ref> The threshold for rickets and osteomalacia risk is 8 ng/ml and below; clinical deficiency is considered as anything below 16 ng/ml.<ref>Heaney, PR. Functional indices of vitamin D status and ramifications of vitamin D deficiency. American  Journal of  Clinical  Nutrition 2004;  80 : S1706  –  S1709</ref> This illustrates a very serious health risk for migrant Muslim women who immigrate to such countries and wear the burqa.
This is further evidenced by numerous scientific studies. A study was undertaken in ''Dearborn, Michigan'', the most-concentrated Arab-American settlement in the United States to assess the relationship between Vitamin D levels and Islamic dress choice in migrant Arab-American Muslim women. The average vitamin D level was found to be 4 ng/ml in  veiled women who undertook ''no'' vitamin D supplementation and 7 ng/ml in women who wore the same style veil but chose to take supplements.<ref>Hobbs, R., et al., Severe Vitamin D Deficiency in Arab-American Women Living in Dearborn, Michigan. Endocrine Practice, 2009. 15(1): p. 35-40.</ref> The threshold for rickets and osteomalacia risk is 8 ng/ml and below; clinical deficiency is considered as anything below 16 ng/ml.<ref>Heaney, PR. Functional indices of vitamin D status and ramifications of vitamin D deficiency. American  Journal of  Clinical  Nutrition 2004;  80 : S1706  –  S1709</ref> This illustrates a very serious health risk for migrant Muslim women who immigrate to such countries and wear the burqa.


In the [[United Kingdom]], cases of rickets have been rare until recently. Cases of the disease have increased dramatically due to the growing Muslim population.<ref>
In the United Kingdom, cases of rickets have been rare until recently. Cases of the disease have increased dramatically due to the growing Muslim population.<ref>
{{Cite web|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/rise-in-rickets-linked-to-ethnic-groups-that-shun-the-sun-2319920.html|title= Rise in rickets linked to ethnic groups that shun the sun|publisher= The Independent|author=Jeremy Laurance |date= July 25, 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Flife-style%2Fhealth-and-families%2Fhealth-news%2Frise-in-rickets-linked-to-ethnic-groups-that-shun-the-sun-2319920.html&date=2013-09-22|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://digitaljournal.com/article/316191|title= Rickets on the increase amongst British children|publisher= DigitalJournal|author= Katerina Nikolas|date= December 16, 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaljournal.com%2Farticle%2F316191&date=2013-09-22|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1154211.stm|title= Rickets upsurge among UK Asians|publisher= BBC News|author= |date= February 5, 2001|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F1%2Fhi%2Fhealth%2F1154211.stm&date=2013-09-22|deadurl=no}}</ref>
{{Cite web|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/rise-in-rickets-linked-to-ethnic-groups-that-shun-the-sun-2319920.html|title= Rise in rickets linked to ethnic groups that shun the sun|publisher= The Independent|author=Jeremy Laurance |date= July 25, 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Flife-style%2Fhealth-and-families%2Fhealth-news%2Frise-in-rickets-linked-to-ethnic-groups-that-shun-the-sun-2319920.html&date=2013-09-22|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://digitaljournal.com/article/316191|title= Rickets on the increase amongst British children|publisher= DigitalJournal|author= Katerina Nikolas|date= December 16, 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaljournal.com%2Farticle%2F316191&date=2013-09-22|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1154211.stm|title= Rickets upsurge among UK Asians|publisher= BBC News|author= |date= February 5, 2001|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F1%2Fhi%2Fhealth%2F1154211.stm&date=2013-09-22|deadurl=no}}</ref>


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Islam is considered by its adherents to be the perfect way of life for mankind - this appears to be a difficult position to maintain when one considers that the teachings of Islam's omniscient, omnibenevolent deity would pose a major health risk to his female followers.  
Islam is considered by its adherents to be the perfect way of life for mankind - this appears to be a difficult position to maintain when one considers that the teachings of Islam's omniscient, omnibenevolent deity would pose a major health risk to his female followers.  


It could be argued that today this can be combated with vitamin D supplementation combined with daily exposure to the sun in the privacy of ones backyard or some other location safe from the eyes of non-mahram men. However, this does not appear to be a satisfactory solution.
Theoretically, sunning in private where there are no unrelated men present or supplementing with oral vitamin D would solve this problem. However, this does not appear to be a satisfactory solution in practice.


Many are not fortunate enough to have their own private gardens where they can sit, and sitting in front of a window inside their homes will not help because window glass only lets through UV-A rays, not UV-B and UV-C. UV-B rays are needed for the production of vitamin D.<ref>Shereen Jegtvig - [{{Reference archive|1=http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/sunlight.htm|2=2011-11-01}} How Much Sun Exposure Do I Need for Vitamin D?] - About.com, October 06, 2011</ref>
Many are not fortunate enough to have their own private gardens where they can sit, and sitting in front of a window inside their homes will not help because window glass only lets through UV-A rays, not UV-B and UV-C. UV-B rays are needed for the production of vitamin D.<ref>Shereen Jegtvig - [{{Reference archive|1=http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/sunlight.htm|2=2011-11-01}} How Much Sun Exposure Do I Need for Vitamin D?] - About.com, October 06, 2011</ref>
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Furthermore, it was only in 1923 that it was established when 7-dehydrocholesterol is irradiated with light, a form of a fat-soluble vitamin is produced,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.beyonddiscovery.org/content/view.txt.asp?a=414|2=2011-08-06}} Unraveling The Enigma Of Vitamin D] - United States National Academy of Sciences, accessed August 6, 2011</ref> and until the mid-1930s, when the first commercial yeast-extract and semi-synthetic vitamin C supplement tablets were sold, vitamins were obtained solely through food intake and (in the case of vitamin D) through exposure to the sun.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vitamin&oldid=442774268 Vitamin] - Wikipedia, accessed August 6, 2011</ref>  
Furthermore, it was only in 1923 that it was established when 7-dehydrocholesterol is irradiated with light, a form of a fat-soluble vitamin is produced,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.beyonddiscovery.org/content/view.txt.asp?a=414|2=2011-08-06}} Unraveling The Enigma Of Vitamin D] - United States National Academy of Sciences, accessed August 6, 2011</ref> and until the mid-1930s, when the first commercial yeast-extract and semi-synthetic vitamin C supplement tablets were sold, vitamins were obtained solely through food intake and (in the case of vitamin D) through exposure to the sun.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vitamin&oldid=442774268 Vitamin] - Wikipedia, accessed August 6, 2011</ref>  


So what of the Muslim women prior to the 1930s and their vitamin intake? Furthermore, the [[Qur'an]] and [[hadith]] [[literature]], make no mention at all of the matter.  
Before 1930, there was thus no oral supplement solution available for this is, and the [[Qur'an]] and [[hadith]] [[literature]] make no mention at all of the matter.  


It is sometimes suggested, in response, that long-term excessive exposure to UV radiation from sunlight can cause skin cancer and other ailments. However, according to epidemiologist Robyn Lucas at Australian National University,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20090410154214/http://nceph.anu.edu.au/Staff_Students/staff_pages/lucas.php|2=2011-08-20}} National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health] - Australian National University, October 17, 2008</ref> analysis of lifespan versus disease shows that far more lives are lost to diseases caused by lack of sunlight than by those caused by too much,<ref>Deborah Kotz - [{{Reference archive|1=http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2008/06/23/time-in-the-sun-how-much-is-needed-for-vitamin-d|2=2011-08-20}} Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D?] - U.S.News, June 23, 2008</ref> and of course, a women is always capable of avoiding what she feels to be too much or too little sunlight, but the restrictive Islamic dress laws require, in effect, that this ability is taken away from her.
Apologists sometimes suggest in response that long-term excessive exposure to UV radiation from sunlight can cause skin cancer and other ailments. However, according to epidemiologist Robyn Lucas at Australian National University,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20090410154214/http://nceph.anu.edu.au/Staff_Students/staff_pages/lucas.php|2=2011-08-20}} National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health] - Australian National University, October 17, 2008</ref> analysis of lifespan versus disease shows that far more lives are lost to diseases caused by lack of sunlight than by those caused by too much,<ref>Deborah Kotz - [{{Reference archive|1=http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2008/06/23/time-in-the-sun-how-much-is-needed-for-vitamin-d|2=2011-08-20}} Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D?] - U.S.News, June 23, 2008</ref> and of course, a women is always capable of avoiding what she feels to be too much or too little sunlight, but the restrictive Islamic dress laws require, in effect, that this ability is taken away from her.
==See Also==
==See Also==


{{Hub4|Hijab|Hijab}}
* [[Health]]
 
* [[Hijab]]
{{Hub4|Health|Health}}
 
{{Translation-links-english|[[Последици за здравето от ислямското облекло|Bulgarian]], [[Wpływ muzułmańskiego stroju na zdrowie|Polish]], [[Efectos sobre la Salud de la Vestimenta Islámica|Spanish]], [[Zdravotní účinky islámského oděvu|Czech]]}}
{{Translation-links-english|[[Последици за здравето от ислямското облекло|Bulgarian]], [[Wpływ muzułmańskiego stroju na zdrowie|Polish]], [[Efectos sobre la Salud de la Vestimenta Islámica|Spanish]], [[Zdravotní účinky islámského oděvu|Czech]]}}


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