Overweight and obese children have a high prevalence vitamin D deficiency, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. The findings suggest targeted screening and treatment guidance is needed for children.Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center compared vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin-D serum blood levels of less than 20 ng/mL) in a sample of 6- to 18-year-old children enrolled in the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Children were classified as healthy-weight, overweight, obese or severely obese by using recommended age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI)-percentile cut points. Associations between BMI-percentile classification and vitamin D deficiency were examined after adjustment for relevant confounders.
Compared with healthy-weight children, overweight, obese, and severely obese children had significantly greater odds of vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in healthy-weight, overweight, obese and severely obese children was 21%, 29%, 34% and 49%, respectively.
Severely obese black children were the most likely to be vitamin D deficient (87%, where as severely obese Latino children were 53% vitamin D deficient, and severely obese Caucasian children were 27% deficient.
