Vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity in African-American adolescents and may promote insulin resistance. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Threshold for effects of vitamin D deficiency on glucose metabolism in obese female African-American adolescents.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Sep;94(9):3200-6. Epub 2009 Jun 23. PMID: 19549742
Department of Pediatrics/Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children's Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham, CPP 230, 1601 Fourth Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA. [email protected]
CONTEXT: Vitamin D status can influence insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in obese African-American (AA) adolescent females in a southeastern latitude and to determine the relationship of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with insulin and glucose dynamics. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a University Children's Hospital. METHODS: Serum 25(OH)D, fasting glucose, PTH, serum calcium, serum lipids, serum transaminases, and C-reactive protein were assessed. Indices of insulin sensitivity and resistance were determined from an oral glucose tolerance test. Subjects were classified as vitamin D deficient or sufficient, based on the traditional vitamin D deficiency definition [serum 25(OH)D<20 ng/ml] and also by a lower 25(OH)D cut-point of 15 ng/ml or less. RESULTS: A total of 51 AA adolescent females (body mass index, 43.3 +/- 9.9 kg/m(2); age, 14 +/- 2 yr) were studied. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 20 ng/ml or less in 78.4% and 15 ng/ml or less in 60.8% of subjects. There were no significant group differences in the metabolic outcomes when subjects were classified using the traditional vitamin D deficiency definition. The Matsuda index of insulin sensitivity was significantly lower (P = 0.02), and insulin area under the curve was significantly higher (P = 0.04) in subjects with 25(OH)D concentrations of 15 ng/ml or less vs. those with higher concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in obese, AA female adolescents and may promote insulin resistance. Our data suggest that a 25(OH)D concentration of 15 ng/ml or less may be the threshold by which vitamin D deficiency confers negative effects on insulin sensitivity.