ESPE Abstracts (2014) 82 P-D-3-2-774

Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Attiki, Greece


Background: The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in Greece in the last decades, and more than 30% of children and adolescents are currently overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with decreased circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, which might predispose to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Objective and hypotheses: To determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and their relationship to cardiometabolic parameters in overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Patients and methods: One hundred thirty-three (n=133) children and adolescents (79 females (F), 54 males (M)) were recruited to participate in the study during the autumn months. Of these, 49 were overweight (age: 9.78±0.45 years, BMI: 23.29±0.37 kg/m2, F: 32, M: 17) and 84 obese (age: 10.49±0.4 years, BMI: 28.7±0.62 kg/m2, F: 47, M: 37). Blood samples for determination of liver and renal function, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, bone profile and cardiometabolic parameters were determined at 08:00h following a 12-h fast. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was determined twice and the mean was calculated.

Results: The concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were sufficient (≥30 ng/ml) in 45 (33.8%) children and adolescents, insufficient (20–29 ng/ml) in 46 (34.6%) and deficient (<20 ng/ml) in 42 (31.6%) subjects. There was no significant difference in 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations between overweight and obese (27.08±1.4 vs 25.74±1.11) subjects. A significant negative correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and diastolic blood pressure (r=−0.169, P=0.046) was noted.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency or deficiency is observed in approximately two thirds (66.2%) of overweight and obese children and adolescents in Greece.

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