The Association of Adiposity Indices and Plasma Vitamin D in Young Females in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Background.

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem.

Some evidences indicate its association with metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

In the current study we aim to study the association of vitamin D level and indicators of adiposity in young Saudi females.

Subjects and Methods.

87 young healthy Saudi females were recruited from University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Each subject filled vitamin D questionnaire and had exercise stress test to determine VO2 peak.

Body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, and ratios were determined.

Blood was analyzed for 25-OH vitamin D, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and differential cholesterol.

Results.

25-OH vitamin D/body weight was negatively associated with waist circumference and waist/stature ratio.

No significant difference was found between the groups of BMI with regard to the data of questionnaire or 25-OH vitamin D/body weight.

Obese and overweight subjects had lower VO2 peak.

Conclusion.

In young Saudi females we found that the relative value of vitamin D to body weight is a better indicator of vitamin D status particularly in obese subjects and it is negatively associated with adiposity measures of waist circumference and waist/stature ratio.