The association between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome in Ukrainian adolescents with overweight and obesity

PURPOSE: This work aims to determine the association between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese adolescents from Ukraine. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements were taken and general and biochemical examinations were performed on 136 obese and overweight adolescents and 60 adolescents with normal body weight. The vitamin D status was determined using 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (calcidiol) levels in blood serum. To establish the factors influencing vitamin D status, the subjects were asked to answer a questionnaire and 2007 International Diabetes Federation diagnostic criteria were used to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome. All research results were processed statistically. RESULTS: A calcidiol sufficiency level was found in 3.9% of obese adolescents and 6.7% of overweight adolescents. Metabolic syndrome was found in 64.4% of obese adolescents with vitamin D deficiency, and in 26.2% of overweight adolescents. Factors associated with an increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency in adolescents with metabolic syndrome included male sex (P=0.042), low income per family member (P=0.040), daily milk consumption of up to 1 cup per day (P=0.001), physical activity (P=0.001), duration of outdoor stays (P=0.001), and passive rest in front of a computer or television (P=0.001). Adolescents with metabolic syndrome were found predominance of body mass index (P<0.001), waist circumference (P<0.001), fasting blood glucose level (P<0.001), and decreased calcidiol level (P=0.022). Among metabolic syndrome components, vitamin D deficiency was strongly associated with waist circumference and increased fasting blood glucose (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in overweight and obese adolescents from Ukraine. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with metabolic syndrome criteria in overweight and obese adolescents.