Publication:

Levels of vitamin D among overweight and obese adolescents: an observational study

Background Normal growth and development requires vitamin D, and its deficiency compromises long term health and increases the risk of chronic disease. Severe vitamin D deficiency include rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, increased risk of fracture, tooth loss. Studies indicate that vitamin D insufficiency (less severe than deficiency) is associated with a wide range of illnesses and chronic conditions, including type 1 diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis and many types of cancer. Currently world is facing an unrecognized and untreated pandemic of vitamin D deficiency. This study aims at showing the relation between Vitamin D status and obesity in adolescent children and to know the dietary factors, life style factors like physical activity contributing to overweight and obesity in adolescents.

Methods Study design: This is an observational study of 30 overweight and obese adolescents based on BMI were studied and their Vitamin D levels were assessed.

Results A total of 14(46.7%) overweight and 16(53.3%) obese adolescents Vitamin D levels were assessed. 20(66.7%) had vitamin D levels <20ng/ml that is in the deficiency range.4(13.3%) had in the insufficiency range (21-30ng/ml), 6(20%) had in the sufficient range. Results shows vitamin D levels were significantly less in obese and overweight adolescents.

Conclusions Study results confirm that Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is common to obese and overweight adolescents, this may help to explain the relationship between obesity and several chronic diseases that are associated with poor Vitamin D status.