Associations between vitamin D status in infants and blood lipids, body mass index and waist circumference
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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
K Arnberg1, M Østergård, A L Madsen
1Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark. kaar@life.ku.dk
Insights
Infant vitamin D status was linked to lower blood lipids and smaller waist circumference. This study examined 255 infants, finding negative associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and these health markers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D is crucial for infant health.
- Understanding vitamin D's impact on metabolic markers is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and key health indicators in infants.
- To explore associations with blood lipids, glucose, insulin, BMI, and waist circumference.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 255 nine-month-old infants.
- Analysis of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D via chemiluminescent immunoassay.
- Multivariate analysis of associations with lipids, glucose, insulin, BMI, and waist circumference.
Main Results:
- Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 77.2 ± 22.7 nM; 97% received supplementation.
- Negative associations found between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and HDL, cholesterol, and triglycerides (p < 0.01).
- Negative associations observed with body mass index and waist circumference (p < 0.01).
- No significant associations with glucose or insulin levels.
Conclusions:
- Infant vitamin D status is inversely correlated with blood lipids, BMI, and waist circumference.
- These findings highlight a potential link between vitamin D and metabolic health in infants.
- Further research is needed to determine long-term health implications.
Aim:
To study the relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and blood lipids, insulin, glucose, body mass index and waist circumference in infants.
Methods:
In a cross-sectional study, 255 infants aged 9 months with a blood sample for 25-hydroxyvitamin D were examined. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were analysed by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Associations between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucose, body mass index and waist circumference were analysed.
Results:
Mean plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 77.2 ± 22.7 nM. At the time of examination, 97% received vitamin D supplementation. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D was negatively associated with HDL (p = 0.003), cholesterol (p = 0.002) and triglycerides (p = 0.010) in multivariate analysis controlled for gender, season, body mass index, length, birth weight and breastfeeding. There were no associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and glucose or insulin (all p > 0.05). 25-hydroxyvitamin D was negatively associated with body mass index (p = 0.005) and waist circumference (p = 0.002) controlled for gender, season, breastfeeding, birth weight and length.
Conclusion:
Vitamin D status is negatively associated with blood lipids, body mass index and waist circumference in infants where nearly all received vitamin D supplements. Whether this has long-term health effects remains to be elucidated.
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