Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Obesity

Researchers from McGill University and Univ. of Southern California recently published a report showing post pubertal girls that have low levels of vitamin D experienced stunted growth and excess weight gain.

Richard Kremer the Co Director of the Health Center at McGill and his collegues examined serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, bone mineral density, height, body fat, and weight in 90 Caucasian and Hispanic girls between the ages of 16-22. 59% of the participants we found to have insufficient levels of vitamin D. Those who experienced the deficiency had increased body mass, weight gain, and body fat and were shorter than the subjects who had sufficient Vitamin D levels. In this study they saw no correlation with bone mineral density and vitamin D.

Dr. Kremer noted that it was surprising to see such a high prevalence of deficiency in young girls who lived in such a sun-rich region. He also noted that due to the higher levels of awareness vitamin D is often checked in older populations but ignored in what would seem to be healthy adolescents. This being the case the study found that women with vitamin D deficiency are significantly heavier, have a higher BMI, and more excess abdominal fat, than the young girls with normal levels.

According to Dr. Vicente Gilsanz, the coauthor of the study, more doctors need to identify deficiency in vitamin D levels, especially when it is as simple as a blood test. Since low vitamin D levels may cause increased fat accumulation and increase the risk of chronic disorders, further investigation must be conducted to determine if vitamin D supplements can produce significant benefits in the development of healthy young people.