Association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D status with obesity as well as blood glucose and lipid concentrations in children and adolescents in China

Background: Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient during the growth and development of the human body. Previously, most of the researches about the relationship of vitamin D and obesity were focused on adults. In this paper, the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and obesity among children and adolescents in China was analyzed. Methods: From August 2012 to August 2014, 443 children and adolescents participated in this study. Serum 25(OH)D, lipid and glucose were measured in the laboratory. All the participants were classified into 2 groups (obese and non-obese group) on the basis of their BMI. They were then categorized into vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D normal groups according to the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D. Results: The concentration of serum 25(OH)D in the obese group was significantly lower than that of the non obese group (P < 0.001). The concentration of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance showed significant differences between the obese and non-obese groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Children and adolescents suffering from obesity are more likely to have lower concentrations of serum 25(OH)D. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.