Lower Vitamin D levels are more common in people who are overweight.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that can be obtained through food and exposure to sunlight. Lack of outdoor activity can be partially blamed for the increase in Vitamin D deficiency which affects 40% of people in the United States. However, a recent study conducted by VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center recently found a link between Vitamin D deficiency and obesity.

The study assessed men and women from the ages of 45-65 and focused on fat in the liver, fat around the organs, and abdominal fat.

In women, the study concluded that excess abdominal fat had the greatest association with lower Vitamin D levels.

In men, there was a link between lower Vitamin D levels and excess abdominal and liver fat.

It is still unknown whether obesity lowers Vitamin D levels or if Vitamin D deficiency causes excess weight gain. More research is needed to understand the nature of this relationship.

One of the investigators, Rachida Rafiq comments, “Although we did not measure vitamin D deficiency in our study, the strong relationship between increasing amounts of abdominal fat and lower levels of vitamin D suggests that individuals with larger waistlines are at a greater risk of developing deficiency, and should consider having their vitamin D levels checked.”

Take home message for health care professionals?

• Consider evaluating Vitamin D levels in patients who are overweight.
• Encourage people with diabetes to make sure they are getting enough Vitamin D in their diet by having fun in the sun (while keeping hydrated and not getting over exposed) and consuming foods such as: fatty fish like  tuna, mackerel, and salmon, mushrooms, egg yolks, and Vitamin D fortified products!

To learn more about Vitamin D deficiency and its relationship to obesity, enjoy this article published in EurekAlert

Larger waistlines are linked to higher risk of vitamin D deficiency