ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL AND ABDOMINAL OBESITY WITH PLASMA VITAMIN D3 LEVELS IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Aim: To assess whether serum Vitamin D levels are associated with general and abdominal obesity in young adults.

Materials & Methods: A total of 113 MBBS students of the same batch aged 17–21 years (59 boys and 54 girls) were included in this case-control study. Height and body weight were measured to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) for General obesity and waist circumference was measured for central obesity. Plasma vitamin D levels were measured. Participants were grouped according to Asian criteria for BMI and abdominal circumference in normal and obese group.

Results: Mean age of students, who participated in study, was 18.2± 0.95 years. In the general obesity group the mean plasma Vitamin D level was 18.77±13.31ng/ml and in its normal reference group(with normal BMI) the mean plasma Vitamin D level was 19.02±16.21ng/ml. In the central obesity group the mean plasma Vitamin D level for males was 21.10±13.30ng/ml and in females 13.52±10.5 ng/ml and in its normal reference group(with normal waist circumference) the mean plasma Vitamin D level in males was 20.16±11.89ng/ml and in females it was 12.66±9.40 ng/ml.

Conclusion: Comparison between obese group and normal group revealed that general obesity and central obesity has no correlation with plasma Vitamin D levels. Plasma Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent even in apparently healthy young individuals and it is more common in females.

Key words: Plasma Vitamin D, Obese, Asian criteria of BMI, MBBS students