Vitamin D status modification by two slightly hypocaloric diets in young overweight/obese women

Obesity has been linked with poorer vitamin D status. The aim of this work was to analyze the changes in vitamin D status and body weight of 61 young, overweight/obese women following two different weight control programs. The study subjects were randomly assigned to one of two slightly hypocaloric diets: diet V, in which the consumption of greens and vegetables was increased, or diet C, in which the consumption of cereals (some of which were enriched with vitamin D) was increased. Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected at the start of the study and at 2 weeks. At the beginning of the study, when taking into account only those women with a vitamin D intake below that recommended, obese women had a significantly lower mean serum 25(OH)D concentration than those who were lighter. Dietary intervention led to a greater reduction in energy intake among group C subjects; their weight was also that which was most reduced. In addition, the vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH)D values were increased only in group C women. Excess body weight was associated with deterioration in vitamin D status, especially when the intake of this vitamin was lower than that recommended. Subjects with higher serum vitamin D at the beginning of the study lost more weight than those subjects with lower initial values. Diet C was associated with a greater weight loss than diet V, and led to a greater increase in vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH)D levels. This might be of interest in the improvement of health in people trying to lose weight.