ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Obesity and vitamin D deficiency are global public health problems. There is evidence of a reciprocal link between vitamin D deficiency and obesity. Both conditions are risk factors for the development of chronic diseases, primarily insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus type 2, and contribute to a decrease in physical fitness (PF). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation on PF of obese children during puberty.

Participants and methods: This one-year prospective study involved 47 obese children (BMI > 95th centile) of pubertal age, with vitamin D deficiency (25 (OH) D < 30 ng / dL), treated for 6 months with a multidisciplinary approach, and for the next 6 months vitamin D was also introduced. The physical fitness index (PFI) was assessed at the first visit and every 6 months using a modified Harvard step test.

Results: A correlation between obesity and vitamin D deficiency has been proven (correlation - 0.50; P<0.001); children who had a higher BMI value had a lower concentration of 25 (OH) D, and vice versa. Multidisciplinary treatment achieved a statistically significant increase (P<0.01) in the mean concentration of 25 (OH) D from 21.13 ng/mL to 22.98 ng/mL. At the end of multidisciplinary treatment with the addition of vitamin D in treatment, 80.85% of subjects (P<0.001) reached a concentration of 25 (OH) D above 30 ng/mL, and the average value was 32.60 ng/mL. Children who had higher BMI values had lower PFI values (correlation - 0.74; P<0.001). Children who had a higher concentration of 25 (OH) D also had a better PFI result (correlation - 0.40; P<0.01). Multidisciplinary treatment with vitamin D supplementation significantly increased PFI (P<0.001). Most of children improved their PFI (83%), and this in favor of girls (average increase 5.43; p <0.001). However, only one child is in the low average group (PFI 55 - 64), and all the others are below average.

Conclusions: Multidisciplinary treatment with vitamin D supplementation has significantly increased PFI. This study provides evidence of the association of vitamin D with PF in obese children during puberty.