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BMI and body fat mass is inversely associated with vitamin D levels in older individuals

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the association between obesity (measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) and fat percentage) and serum 25(OH)D levels in older persons.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of data from ‘the B-PROOF study’ (B-vitamins for the Prevention Of Osteoporotic Fractures).

Participants

2842 participants aged 65 years and older.

Measurements

BMI and fat percentage, measured by Dual Energy X-ray, and serum 25(OH) D levels.

Results

Mean age was 74 years (6.5 SD), with 50% women. Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 55.8 nmol/L (25 SD). BMI and total body fat percentage were significant inversely associated with serum 25(OH)D levels after adjustment for confouders (β−0.93; 95%CI [−1.15; −0.71], p<0.001 and β−0.84; 95%CI [−1.04; −0.64], p<0.001). This association was most prominent in individuals with a BMI in the ‘overweight’ and ‘obesity’ range (β−1.25 and −0.96 respectively) and fat percentage in the last two upper quartiles (β−1.86 and −1.37 respectively).

Conclusion

In this study, higher BMI and higher body fat percentage were significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D levels in older persons. This association was particularly present in individuals with overweight, and higher fat percentages, suggesting that these persons are at increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Erasmus MC, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

    S. Oliai Araghi, S. C. van Dijk, A. C. Ham, A. W. Enneman, M. C. Zillikens, A. G. Uitterlinden & Nathalie van der Velde

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    E. Sohl, K. M. A. Swart, N. M. van Schoor & P. Lips

  3. Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV, Wageningen, the Netherlands

    E. M. Brouwer-Brolsma, N. L. van der Zwaluw, J. P. van Wijngaarden, R. A. M. Dhonukshe-Rutten & L. de Groot

  4. Department of Endocrinology, VU University medical centre, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    P. Lips

  5. Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

    A. G. Uitterlinden

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatric Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, P.O. Box 22700, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Nathalie van der Velde

Authors
  1. S. Oliai Araghi
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  2. S. C. van Dijk
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  3. A. C. Ham
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  4. E. M. Brouwer-Brolsma
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  7. K. M. A. Swart
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  8. N. L. van der Zwaluw
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  9. J. P. van Wijngaarden
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  12. M. C. Zillikens
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Correspondence to Nathalie van der Velde.

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Oliai Araghi, S., van Dijk, S.C., Ham, A.C. et al. BMI and body fat mass is inversely associated with vitamin D levels in older individuals. J Nutr Health Aging 19, 980–985 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0657-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0657-y

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