Vitamin D levels and cardiometabolic risk factors in Portuguese adolescents
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Maria Cabral1, Joana Araújo1, Joana Teixeira2
1ISPUP-EPI Unit, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal; Departamento de Epidemiologia Clínica, Medicina Preditiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal.
Background:
Growing evidence suggests a possible association between low vitamin D levels and increased cardiovascular risk. However, research regarding the period of adolescence is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the association of vitamin D, intake and serum 25(OH)D levels, with cardiometabolic risk factors in 13-year-old adolescents.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1033 adolescents evaluated at 13years old as part of the population-based cohort EPITeen. Vitamin D intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Serum 25(OH)D levels were assessed for a subsample of 514 participants. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) features were defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition modified for age. Logistic regression was fitted to estimate the association between vitamin D status and cardiometabolic risk factors, adjusting for sex, parental education, BMI, physical activity and season.
Results:
Mean (SD) vitamin D levels, 4.61 (2.50)μg for intake and 16.52 (5.72)ng/mL for serum, were below the recommendations. The prevalence of MetS was 13.2%. Total cholesterol and LDL levels significantly decreased with 25(OH)D serum increase. After adjustment, no association was found between vitamin D levels and MetS. Regarding MetS features, an increased odds of high BMI was observed for those with a lower intake (OR 1.87 95% CI 1.04-3.35).
Conclusions:
Although a significant increase in total and LDL cholesterol was observed for lower 25(OH)D levels, and an increased odds of high BMI was observed for those with a lower vitamin D intake, no significant association was observed between vitamin D levels and metabolic syndrome.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
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...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...