Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Associations between Body Composition and Vitamin D Status in Children with Overweight and Obesity Participating in a
Popi Kasvis1, Tamara R Cohen2,3, Sarah-Ève Loiselle1
1Department of Clinical Nutrition, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
Insights
This study found no vitamin D deficiency in obese children aged 6-12 years. Lifestyle interventions did not significantly change vitamin D levels or body composition over one year.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Vitamin D status is crucial for bone health and overall well-being in children.
- Understanding the interplay between body composition and vitamin D is essential for effective health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between body composition and vitamin D status in children undergoing a lifestyle intervention.
- To assess changes in vitamin D levels in relation to body composition modifications over a 1-year period.
- To determine if fat patterning (android vs. gynoid) influences vitamin D concentrations in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 101 children (6-12 years) with obesity (BMI-for-age >85th percentile).
- Participants were assigned to either a lifestyle intervention group or a control group.
- Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), anthropometry, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for body composition were measured quarterly for 1 year.
Main Results:
- Baseline vitamin D levels were adequate (mean 62.2 nmol/L), with no participants showing deficiency (<30 nmol/L).
- Children with gynoid fat distribution exhibited higher vitamin D levels compared to those with android distribution at 6 months (p < 0.003).
- Lower lean mass index z-scores at 9 months correlated with higher vitamin D levels at earlier time points (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency was not observed in this cohort of obese children aged 6-12 years.
- The lifestyle intervention did not lead to significant alterations in vitamin D status despite potential changes in body composition.
- Fat patterning may play a role in vitamin D distribution, warranting further investigation in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Background: To examine associations between body composition and vitamin D status in children participating in a lifestyle intervention. Methods: Children (6−12 y, n = 101) with a body mass index (BMI)-for-age >85th percentile were randomized to six dietitian-led behavior counselling sessions or no intervention. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), anthropometry, and body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed every 3 months for 1 year. For each anthropometry variable (z-scores), tertiles were created to test for differences in 25(OH)D over time (tertile-by-time), and for changes in the z-score (loss, maintain, gain)-by-time, and according to fat patterning (android vs. gynoid) using mixed effects models. Results: The baseline plasma 25(OH)D was 62.2 nmol/L (95%CI: 58.7−65.7), and none < 30 nmol/L. At 6 mo, children with gynoid fat patterning had higher 25(OH)D concentrations than in those with android fat patterning (64.5 ± 1.1 nmol/L vs. 50.4 ± 1.0 nmol/L, p < 0.003, Cohen’s f = 0.20). Children with the lowest lean mass index z-score at 9 mo had higher plasma 25(OH)D concentrations than children with the highest z-score at baseline, 3 mo, and 6 mo (p < 0.05, Cohen’s f = 0.20). No other significant differences were observed. Conclusion: In this longitudinal study, vitamin D deficiency was not present in children 6−12 y of age with obesity. Reductions in adiposity did not alter the vitamin D status.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:24Obesity
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...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
01:19Energy Balance