Gender differences in the relationship between vitamin C and abdominal obesity

Vitamin C is a commonly used antioxidant supplement; however, its effects on obesity and fat distribution are equivocal. We examined nationally representative data to determine whether intake of vitamin C is related to abdominal obesity.

In total, 16,414 adults (58 % women) from the 2007 - 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the analysis. Vitamin C intake was calculated using 24-hour recalls and categorized into quintiles. The multivariate models in logistic regression analysis were adjusted for age, energy intake, sodium intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, education, income, pre-existing disease conditions, survey year, and menopausal status (in women only).

Compared with the lowest quintile (Q1) of vitamin C intake, the adjusted odds ratios of Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5 for abdominal adiposity were 0.92, 0.86, 0.81, and 0.70, respectively, in women (p for trend = 0.0007). This association was maintained after adjusting for the confounding factors; however, we observed no association between intake of vitamin C and abdominal obesity in men.

Vitamin C intake showed a negative association with abdominal obesity in women. Further research is warranted on the association between and the mechanism of vitamin C in abdominal obesity.