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Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in obese women: Their clinical significance and relationship with anthropometric and body composition variables

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Abstract

Obesity is associated with low concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D]. However, conflicting results have been found regarding the relationship of 25(OH) D with anthropometric and adiposity parameters. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between 25(OH) D and body fat (BF) in a homogeneous cohort of non-obese, obese, and morbidly obese Caucasian women. The study was performed in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, a city adjacent to Barcelona with a latitude of 41 degrees, 22 minutes, and 5 seconds north. Materials and methods: Plasma concentrations of 25(OH) D were determined and body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance in a group of 43 women with morbid obesity, 28 non-morbidly obese, and 50 non-obese women matched for age. Results: Morbidly obese women showed lower 25(OH) D concentrations compared to non-morbidly and non-obese women (37.9±16 vs 40.2±13 vs 56.7±21 nmol/l, p=0.001). Fifty-one percent of morbidly obese women had vitamin D deficiency [25(OH) D<38 nmol/l] compared to 22% of non-obese patients, (p=0.004). In the bivariate correlation analysis 25(OH) D was inversely associated with weight (r=−0.41, p=0.001), body mass index (BMI) (r=−0.432, p=0.001 ), waist to hip ratio (WHR)(r=−0.40, p=0.001 ), BF (r=−0.53, p=0001 ), fat mass (r=−0.44, p=0.0001), fat-free mass (r=−0.35, p=0.001). In the multivariate general linear model analysis, 25(OH) D was associated with season of examination (p=0.001) and was negatively associated with BF (β=−0.75, p=0.001), after adjusting for age, BMI, and WHR. Conclusions: 25(OH) D concentrations are associated with body composition variables especially by BF, independently of seasonal variability. Therefore, body adiposity should be considered when assessing vitamin D requirements in obese patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Bellvitge Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain

    N. Vilarrasa MD, J. Maravall, A. Estepa, J. Soler & J. M. Gómez

  2. Department of Bariatric Surgery, Bellvitge Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain

    R. Sánchez & C. Masdevall

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Bellvitge Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain

    M. A. Navarro & P. Alía

Authors
  1. N. Vilarrasa MD
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  2. J. Maravall
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  3. A. Estepa
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  4. R. Sánchez
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  6. M. A. Navarro
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  7. P. Alía
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  8. J. Soler
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  9. J. M. Gómez
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Correspondence to N. Vilarrasa MD.

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Vilarrasa, N., Maravall, J., Estepa, A. et al. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in obese women: Their clinical significance and relationship with anthropometric and body composition variables. J Endocrinol Invest 30, 653–658 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347445

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