Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

28.1K

Assessment of vitamin D status in children aged 1-5 with simple obesity

Hanna Dyląg, Grażyna Rowicka, Małgorzata Strucińska

    Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny
    |December 20, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Young children, especially those who are obese, are at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to low intake. Obese children are particularly vulnerable in autumn and winter, necessitating monitoring of vitamin D status.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Nutritional Science
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Vitamin D plays a crucial role due to its widespread effects.
    • Obese populations are identified as a high-risk group for vitamin D deficiency.
    • Understanding vitamin D status in children is vital for growth and development.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the vitamin D status in 1-5-year-old children with simple obesity.
    • To compare vitamin D levels between obese and non-obese children.
    • To assess the impact of season and intake on vitamin D status.

    Main Methods:

    • A study involving 100 children aged 1-5, divided into obese (n=50) and non-obese (n=50) groups based on BMI.
    • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured across seasons (spring-summer, autumn-winter).
    • Vitamin D intake from diet and supplements was assessed, with statistical analysis performed.

    Main Results:

    • Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 23.6±10.8 ng/ml in obese children versus 26.6±9.8 ng/ml in non-obese children (p=0.08).
    • 80% of obese children and 70% of non-obese children had levels ≤30 ng/ml.
    • Insufficient vitamin D status was observed in 88.5% of obese children during autumn-winter compared to 70.9% in spring-summer (p=0.002).
    • Mean daily vitamin D intake was lower in obese children (128 IU) than non-obese (188 IU).

    Conclusions:

    • Children aged 1-5, both obese and non-obese, are at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to inadequate intake and supplementation.
    • Obese children face a heightened risk, particularly during the autumn-winter season.
    • Regular monitoring of vitamin D status in children aged 1-5 is recommended.
    Abstract

    Related Concept Videos

    Obesity01:24

    Obesity

    The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
    1.6K
    Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

    Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

    In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
    351
    Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

    Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

    The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
    The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
    9.1K
    Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

    Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

    Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
    935
    Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

    Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

    The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
    Vitamin A
    Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
    Vitamin B12
    Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
    6.1K
    Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

    Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

    Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
    310