Vitamin D Status and Physical Activity during Wintertime in Forensic Inpatients-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Forensic Psychiatry

Background:

• Physical activity is crucial for overall health.
• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in various populations.
• Understanding factors influencing physical activity in forensic inpatients is important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and physical activity levels.
• To examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on physical activity in forensic inpatients.
• To determine optimal vitamin D levels for physical activity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 67 male forensic inpatients.
• Intervention group received vitamin D supplementation; control group received a placebo.
• Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity-Rating (PA-R) questionnaire.
• Vitamin D status was assessed via 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D status positively correlated with physical activity post-intervention.
• No significant effect of vitamin D supplementation was observed between groups initially.
• Controlling for body mass index (BMI) revealed a group effect favoring higher physical activity in the intervention group.
• Individuals with vitamin D levels above 75 nmol/L exhibited significantly higher physical activity than those below 46.7 nmol/L.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D status, particularly levels above 75 nmol/L, is associated with higher physical activity in forensic inpatients.
• While direct supplementation effects were nuanced, achieving optimal vitamin D levels appears beneficial for physical activity.
• Further research may explore the mechanisms linking vitamin D and physical activity in this population.