Abstract: Vitamin deficiency is considered to be a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia, especially during summer.
The major source of vitamin D is sun exposure. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimum time for sun exposure in four
different cities (North, South, West and East regions) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the current study ampoules containing
7-dehydrocholesterol in ethanol were exposed to sunlight every hour starting from sunrise until sunset in June 2013. Results
indicated that the geographical location and the time of the day have a major influence in vitamin D production. In summer,
conversion of pre-vitamin D3 was observed to be elevated between 8.00-9.00 AM to 3:30-4:30 PM, with peak hours between
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Moreover in the east region (Dammam), conversion of pre-vitamin D3 showed significant reduction by
around 50%. In conclusion, the optimum sun exposure time for vitamin D3 production in the north, south and west regions of
Saudi Arabia during summer is from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, as well as 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.Air pollution might be the cause for
the decreased conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to pre-vitamin D3 in the east region. Conservatively, the optimum time for sun
exposure therefore in Dammam city is from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, as well as 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Knowledge of the optimum
sun exposure times during summer can be highly effective in preventing vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia.