Association between vitamin D deficiency and lipid profiles in overweight and obese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective The association between vitamin D deficiency and lipid profiles in adults with overweight or obesity remains unclear and inconsistent. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between lipid profiles and vitamin D deficiency in the overweight and obese adults.Methods Four databases, including PubMed, the Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, were used to identify all studies on vitamin D status and lipid levels, including the serum levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). The Weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models was used to assess the association between the lipid profile and vitamin D deficiency.Results Twenty-one articles that included a total of 7952 adults with overweight or obesity (BMI = 25 kg/m2) were included. The overall results revealed that compared with the controls, individuals with vitamin D deficiency showed higher levels of TG (WMD = 15.01; 95%CI, 2.51-27.52) and TC (WMD = 8.61; 95%CI, 1.31-15.92). Moreover, vitamin D deficiency was related to an increased level of LDL (WMD = 6.12; 95%CI, 0.02-12.23). HDL level was inversely associated with the vitamin D deficiency status (WMD = -2.57; 95%CI, -4.26, -0.88).Conclusions Among the adults with overweight or obesity, the vitamin D deficient group displayed impaired lipid profiles, including increased TG, TC and LDL levels and reduced HDL level.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the relationship between lipid profiles and vitamin D deficiency in overweight and obese adults. The results showed that individuals with vitamin D deficiency had higher levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.