Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels, BsmI Polymorphism and Insulin Resistance in Brazilian Amazonian Children
Fernanda Cobayashi1, Bárbara Hatzlhoffer Lourenço2, Marly Augusto Cardoso3
1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 715, CEP 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil. fernanda.cobayashi@gmail.com.
Insights
Vitamin D levels in children are influenced by socioeconomic factors, maternal education, and nutrient intake. The BsmI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene is linked to metabolic health, including insulin resistance and glucose levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
- Nutritional Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Vitamin D plays a crucial role beyond bone health, impacting various physiological functions.
- Understanding factors affecting vitamin D status in children is essential for public health.
- The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, particularly BsmI polymorphism, may influence metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in children aged 10 years and younger.
- To investigate the impact of BsmI polymorphism (rs1544410) on metabolic parameters in children.
- To examine the longitudinal effects of VDR gene polymorphism on metabolic health over two years.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cross-sectional study involving 974 children (≤10 years).
- Analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and metabolic parameters.
- Multiple linear regression models were employed to analyze associations.
- A subsample (n=430) was followed for two years to assess longitudinal impacts.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency was 11.1%, 21.8%, and 67.2%, respectively.
- BsmI polymorphism, maternal schooling, serum vitamin E, total cholesterol, and serum folate explained 23% of the variation in 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
- BsmI polymorphism was positively associated with HOMA-IR and fasting glucose concentration.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic status, maternal education, BsmI VDR gene risk allele, and nutrient status are associated with vitamin D levels in children.
- BsmI polymorphism shows a correlation with metabolic outcomes, suggesting a genetic influence on metabolic health.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between vitamin D, genetics, and metabolic health in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Vitamin D is associated with a wide range of other functions beyond bone development. We evaluated the factors associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in 974 children aged ≤ 10 years and the impact of BsmI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene (rs1544410) on metabolic parameters in a subsample (n: 430) with a follow-up 2 years later from the initial population-based cross-sectional study. Multiple linear regression models were used in the analyses. The prevalence (95% CI) of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency of children was 11.1% (9.2-13.2), 21.8% (19.2-24.5) and 67.2% (64.1-70.1), respectively. Overall, 23% of the variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations was accounted for by BsmI polymorphism β = -0.053 (95% CI) (-0.100, -0.006), maternal schooling (≥ 9 years) β = 0.100 (0.039, 0.161), serum vitamin E β = 0.478 (0.381, 0.574), total cholesterol concentration β = 0.232 (0.072, 0.393) and serum folate β = 0.064 (0.013, 0.115). BsmI polymorphism was positively associated with HOMA-IR β = 0.122 (0.002, 0.243) and fasting glucose concentration β = 1.696 (0.259, 3.133). In conclusion, variables related to socioeconomic level, the presence of the allele risk for BsmI and other nutrient concentrations were associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Our results suggest that BsmI polymorphism is correlated with metabolic outcomes.
