[Serum vitamin D and metabolic risk factors in a group of Spanish schoolchildren]

To analyze the vitamin D status and its relationship with metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors in a group of Spanish schoolchildren.

A group of 314 Spanish schoolchildren (8-13 years old) from A Coruna, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Valencia were studied. Anthropometric data on weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and triceps skinfold, as well as blood pressure data were collected. Serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, HDL-c and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25 (OH) D) were assessed. Following Cook criterion, the following MS risk factors were defined: glucose ≥100 mg/dL; ≥P90 waist circumference; triglycerides> P90, HDL ≤P10; and sistolic and/or diastolic blood pressure > P90.

Mean serum 25(OH)D were 23.0±8.6 ng/mL. Forty seven percent of children had hypovitaminosis (20- 30 ng/mL) and 35% had vitamin deficiency (<20 ng/mL). Compared to the first tertile, children in the second tertile have a lower risk of elevated triglycerides (OR = 0.50 [CI = 0.25 to 0.99]; those in the the third tertile had lower risk of high blood pressure and triglycerides (0.60 [CI = 0.42-0.86] and 0.50 [CI = 0.32 to 0.79], respectively).

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high in this group of Spanish schoolchildren. Low serum levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of elevated triglycerides and blood pressure.