ESPE Abstracts

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically in the last decades and accounts for a significant increase in morbidity and mortality in adulthood.

Objective and hypotheses: To determine the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Method: 350 (n=350) children and adolescents (153 males (M), 197 females (F)) were recruited to participate in the study during the autumn months. Of those, 34 had normal BMI (age: 9.66±0.47 year; BMI: 20.04±0.39 kg/m², F: 26, M: 8), 111 were overweight (age: 10.23±0.27 yr; BMI: 23.02±0.31 kg/m², F: 64, M: 47) and 205 were obese (age: 10.28±0.23 year; BMI: 28.48±0.38 kg/m², F: 107, M: 98). The concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cardiometabolic parameters were determined at 08:00 h following a 12-h fast. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was determined twice and the mean was calculated. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee and written informed consent was obtained by the parents.

Results: The concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were sufficient (≧30 ng/ml; 36.87±0.7 ng/ml) in 63 (18%) children and adolescents, insufficient (20–29 ng/ml; 24.5±0.24 ng/ml) in 132 (37.71%) and deficient (<20 ng/ml; 14.98±0.29 ng/ml) in 155 (44.28%) subjects. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in overweight and obese children and adolescents compared with their normal counterparts (Normal BMI: 24.06±1.48 ng/ml; Overweight: 23.94±0.84; Obese: 21.48±0.61 ng/ml, P<0.03).

Conclusion: 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency or deficiency was observed in 82% of overweight and obese children and adolescents. These findings suggest that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations should be determined regularly in this population and substitution therapy should be commenced when necessary.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007–2013.