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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-023-16447-4.