Vitamin D Supplementation in the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Children

Background: Childhood obesity is associated with cardiovascular-disease (CVD) risk factors, an unfavorable lipid profile and reduced levels of 25(OH)D. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation may play a role in the assessment of the CVD risk factors in overweight/obese...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Luca Pecoraro, Fulvio Nisi, Angela Serafin, Franco Antoniazzi, Luca Dalle Carbonare, Giorgio Piacentini, Angelo Pietrobelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Medical Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/10/3/49
Description
Summary:Background: Childhood obesity is associated with cardiovascular-disease (CVD) risk factors, an unfavorable lipid profile and reduced levels of 25(OH)D. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation may play a role in the assessment of the CVD risk factors in overweight/obese children and adolescents. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study involving children (9–15 years of age) with a known diagnosis of overweight or obesity (BMI > 25) and decreased levels of 25(OH)D (<25 ng/mL), who underwent oral vitamin D supplementation (100,000 UI, one vial/month) for six months. The anthropometric parameters, 25(OH)D, serum lipids and ALT levels were measured at the beginning (T0) and after 6 months (T1). Results: Of the 58 patients recruited, 45 had an increase in the serum 25(OH)D levels after supplementation. Vitamin D supplementation was associated with a decrease in the serum levels of the total cholesterol (<i>p</i> = 0.009), LDL-C (<i>p</i> = 0.005) and ALT (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and an increase in HDL-C (<i>p</i> = 0.03). These results were confirmed when the correction for the body mass index (BMI) was applied. Conclusions: The favorable effect of vitamin D supplementation on the total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and ALT could transform these values into modifiable risk factors starting in early childhood, with beneficial effects on long-term health.
ISSN:2076-3271