Vitamin D Intake and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adolescents

Abstract

Background: A growing body of research suggests that vitamin D might play an important role in overall health. No data exist on vitamin D intake for the Azorean adolescent population. The purpose of this study was to assess vitamin D intake and investigate a possible association between vitamin D intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in Azorean adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 496 adolescents (288 girls) aged 15-18 years from the Azorean Islands, Portugal. Anthropometric measurements (waist circumference and height), blood pressure (systolic), and plasma biomarkers [fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs)] were measured to assess metabolic risk. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), TC-to-HDL-C ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were calculated. For each of these variables, a Z-score was computed by age and sex. A metabolic risk score was constructed by summing the Zscores of all individual risk factors. High risk was considered when the individual had ‡ 1 standard deviation (SD) of this score. Vitamin D intake was assessed with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified into quartiles of vitamin D intake. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios for high cardiometabolic risk scores after adjusting for total energy intake, pubertal stage, fat mass percentage, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Results: Mean (SD) vitamin D intake was 5.8 (6.5) mg/day, and 9.1% of Azorean adolescents achieved the estimated average requirement of vitamin D (10 mg/day or 400 IU). Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for a high cardiometabolic risk score was 3.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-8.75] for adolescents in the lowest vitamin D intake quartile in comparison with those in the highest vitamin D intake quartile, even after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion: A lower level of vitamin D intake was associated with worse metabolic profile among Azorean adolescents.

Circulating serum vitamin D levels in relation to metabolic syndrome in children: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis of epidemiologic studies

“…The details of more relevant studies that were excluded are demonstrated in supporting information Table S1. Studies were excluded if they: (1) reported correlation coefficient, standard, or unstandard coefficient ( β or B) for MetS prevalence; or reported mean ± SD or mean ± SE or median (interquartile range) of circulating vitamin D levels in those with and without MetS 15,39–41 ; (2) considered MetS as the exposure and serum vitamin D level as the outcome 42,43 ; (3) reported only serum 1,25 (OH)2 D3 levels in both healthy and MetS groups; or assessed the relation of circulating 1,25 (OH)2 D3 and components of MetS 29,44 45 .…”

Lower vitamin D intake is associated with low HDL cholesterol and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in Brazilian children

“…So far, the present study has been one of few to evaluate the association between vitamin D intake and lipid profile in children. A study with Portuguese adolescents showed that low vitamin D intake was associated with a worse metabolic profile, including low HDL-C ( 23 ) . In New Zealand, children fed milk fortified with vitamin D had serum concentrations of HDL-C improved ( 40 ) .…”

“…Studies with children and adolescents have shown associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and lipid profile markers ( 21 , 22 ) . Nevertheless, the relationship between vitamin D intake and these markers has not been confirmed in the literature, especially in children ( 23 ) .…”

Association between the consumption of antioxidant nutrients with lipid alterations and cardiometabolic risk in adolescents

“…For HDL-c levels, the scores were obtained using the inverse of the formula, considering that it is inversely related to cardiovascular risk. An individual with a Z-score ≥1 SD was at higher risk [34].…”