Vitamin D status and insulin resistance among young obese Saudi females

To evaluate the association of vitamin D level with insulin resistance, among healthy student's obese women, and to identify factors that may elucidate this association.

One hundred and forty-seven female students between the age group of 18 and 25 years were included in this cross-sectional study, and the related socio-demographic and anthropometric data were obtained. They were selected randomly from Aljouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia between November 2013 and June 2014. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D), glucose, insulin was measured and insulin resistance was calculated using the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR).

The results showed the percentage of 25[OH]D concentration in female students was 21.3% sufficient, 59.6% mild deficiency, and 19.3% moderate deficiency. The percentage of waist circumferences (WC) were 41.3% (>88 cm) and 58.7% (<88 cm), body mass index (BMI) was 13.6% (obese) and 31.8% (over weight), blood pressure (BP) was 65.7% (<130/85 mm Hg), and 33.2% (>130/85 mm Hg). Based on the cut-off point of 25[OH]D, 17.4% of females had 25[OH]D  deficiency, 27.3% insufficient, and 55.3% sufficient. When the  females were classified according to the BMI category, the serum 25[OH]D  concentrations for obese was the lowest value (54.6%) when compared with the overweight (31.8%) and normal weight (0.9%). 25[OH]D  was inversely associated with BMI, fat%, and HOMA-IR.

Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in women of Saudi who are university students especially in those who are obese. Preventive interventions in order to reduce the tendency of deficiency among college students should focus on the awareness of the essentiality of vitamin D promotion of direct exposure to sunlight (vitamin D3) and consumption of vitamin D fortified food as a part of Saudi diets.