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Islamic Attire and Health: Difference between revisions
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{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=3|Content=4|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: | [[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 [[health]] | 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. | ||
==Hijab== | ==Hijab== | ||
The majority of female Muslims worldwide, | The majority of female Muslims worldwide, observe the [[Islam|Islamic]] requirement of observing Hijab (a form of Islamic dress). This ranges anywhere from wearing a simple head covering, to the burqa (a form of "full hijab"), which covers almost all exposed skin. | ||
Full hijab can consist of the following elements: | Full hijab can consist of the following elements: | ||
*Jilbāb; this refers to any long and loose-fitting coat or garment worn by women. | *Jilbāb; this refers to any long and loose-fitting coat or garment worn by women. | ||
*Khimar; a scarf or wrap, often referred to simply as 'hijab', used to cover the head and neck. | *Khimar; a scarf or wrap, often referred to simply as 'hijab', used to cover the head and neck. | ||
*Niqāb; a piece of cloth which veils the face. | *Niqāb; a piece of cloth which veils the face. | ||
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===Vitamin D Deficiency=== | ===Vitamin D Deficiency=== | ||
Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin which is an essential nutrient for human health.<ref>Moan, J. and A. Juzeniene, Solar radiation and human health. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B:Biology, 2010: p. 109-110.</ref><ref>Bandgar, T.R., Vitamin d and hip fractures: Indian scenario. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 2010. 58(9): p. 535-537.</ref> Vitamin D is synthesised when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the human skin triggering a series of reactions, it is by this method that a vast majority of a | Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin which is an essential nutrient for human health.<ref>Moan, J. and A. Juzeniene, Solar radiation and human health. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B:Biology, 2010: p. 109-110.</ref><ref>Bandgar, T.R., Vitamin d and hip fractures: Indian scenario. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 2010. 58(9): p. 535-537.</ref> Vitamin D is synthesised when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the human skin triggering a series of reactions, it is by this method that a vast majority of a person's daily intake of Vitamin D is produced. It is naturally absent in significant quantities in almost all food items commonly consumed, with a very few select foods containing appreciable amounts and very few consumer products being fortified with it.<ref>Office of Dietary Supplements - National Institutes of Health. [http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind/ Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D.] 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.</ref> | ||
The main role of Vitamin D in the body is to regulate the correct amounts of calcium present in the blood. This vitamin aids in the absorption of calcium to create healthy, strong bones. Insufficient amounts of Vitamin D leads to weak, brittle and misshapen bones; a condition known as osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children. Sufficient amounts of Vitamin D are also crucial in preventing fractures and osteoporosis in older adults.<ref> [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind Vitamin D] - Mayo Clinic. 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.</ref> | The main role of Vitamin D in the body is to regulate the correct amounts of calcium present in the blood. This vitamin aids in the absorption of calcium to create healthy, strong bones. Insufficient amounts of Vitamin D leads to weak, brittle and misshapen bones; a condition known as osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children. Sufficient amounts of Vitamin D are also crucial in preventing fractures and osteoporosis in older adults.<ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind Vitamin D] - Mayo Clinic. 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.</ref> | ||
Low levels of Vitamin D have also been linked to a whole host of devastating disorders including cardiovascular diseases, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. There is also a strong association between deficiency in Vitamin D and an increased risk of developing several deadly cancers, including breast cancer.<ref>Holick, M.F., Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2004. 80(6 Suppl).</ref> | Low levels of Vitamin D have also been linked to a whole host of devastating disorders including cardiovascular diseases, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. There is also a strong association between deficiency in Vitamin D and an increased risk of developing several deadly cancers, including breast cancer.<ref>Holick, M.F., Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2004. 80(6 Suppl).</ref> | ||
The concern is not only towards the woman who chooses to observe the more covering forms of Islamic dress but also towards any potential children she may carry. Infants born to vitamin D deficient mothers have been found to suffer from an increased prevalence of seizures.<ref>Bandgar, T.R., Vitamin d and hip fractures: Indian scenario. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 2010. 58(9): p. 535-537.</ref> If these children observe the full hijab in childhood, they run the risk of not reaching the height they would | The concern is not only towards the woman who chooses to observe the more covering forms of Islamic dress but also towards any potential children she may carry. Infants born to vitamin D deficient mothers have been found to suffer from an increased prevalence of seizures.<ref>Bandgar, T.R., Vitamin d and hip fractures: Indian scenario. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 2010. 58(9): p. 535-537.</ref> If these children observe the full hijab in childhood, they run the risk of not reaching the height they would have otherwise reached if they were not vitamin D deficient.<ref>Holick, M.F., Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2004. 80(6 Suppl)</ref> | ||
====Islamic Dress and Health==== | ====Islamic Dress and Health==== | ||
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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> | |||
{{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> | |||
===Obesity=== | ===Obesity=== | ||
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==Implications for the Islamic Faith== | ==Implications for the Islamic Faith== | ||
The observance of hijab prevents women from getting enough vitamin D. This can lead to a whole host of disorders. For Islam as a religion, | The observance of hijab prevents women from getting enough vitamin D. This can lead to a whole host of disorders. For Islam as a religion, this appears to have troublesome implications. | ||
Islam is considered by its adherents to be the perfect way of life for mankind | 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 | 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. | ||
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. | 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> | ||
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? | 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. | ||
It | 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. | ||
{{Core Science}} | {{Core Science}} | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
{{Hub4|Hijab|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]]}} | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/272307 Women could endanger their health by wearing burqas] - ''Digital Journal'' | *[http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/272307 Women could endanger their health by wearing burqas] - ''Digital Journal'' | ||
*[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6088759/Addressing-vitamin-D-deficiency-among.html Addressing vitamin D deficiency among veiled pregnant women in Australia] - ''Excerpt from 'Nutrition & Dietetics: The Journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia '' | *[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6088759/Addressing-vitamin-D-deficiency-among.html Addressing vitamin D deficiency among veiled pregnant women in Australia] - ''Excerpt from 'Nutrition & Dietetics: The Journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia '' | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist| | {{Reflist|30em}} | ||
[[Category:Islam and Women]] | [[Category:Islam and Women]] | ||
[[Category:Islam and Science]] | [[Category:Islam and Science]] | ||
[[bg:Последици за здравето от ислямското облекло]] | |||