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Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with diabetes risk in Native American children

Phyllis A Nsiah-Kumi1, Judi M Erickson, Jennifer L Beals

  • 1Internal Medicine-Pediatrics,, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4085, USA. pnkumi@unmc.edu

Clinical Pediatrics
|October 25, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D insufficiency is widespread in Native American children and linked to insulin resistance. Further research is needed to determine if vitamin D supplementation can improve metabolic health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Native American children face elevated risks for obesity and diabetes.
  • Vitamin D insufficiency prevalence and impact in this population remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate vitamin D insufficiency in Native American children.
  • To explore the association between vitamin D levels, body mass index (BMI), and insulin resistance.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 198 Native American children aged 5-18 years.
  • Measurement of anthropometrics, insulin resistance biomarkers, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH) vitamin D].
  • Calculation of BMI% and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Main Results:

  • Mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D was 17.8 ng/mL, with 97% exhibiting insufficiency (<30 ng/mL).
  • Vitamin D insufficiency was nearly universal in the cohort.
  • Adjusted analysis revealed an inverse association between 25(OH) vitamin D and HOMA-IR (P < .0001), indicating higher vitamin D levels correlated with lower insulin resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent in this cohort of Native American children.
  • The findings suggest a link between vitamin D status and markers of diabetes and vascular risk.
  • Further clinical trials are warranted to assess the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in improving insulin resistance in this population.
Abstract

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