Adequate 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are inversely associated with various cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese children, especially obese children.

OBJECTIVE

Vitamin D deficiency has recently evolved as a major public health issue worldwide. But the relationship between vitamin D and cardiovascular health in children remains unclear. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors, and to assess the possible effect modification of obesity on the associations in a Chinese pediatric population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional sample of 6091 children aged 6-18 years was obtained using a cluster sampling method. The 25(OH)D concentrations, and metabolic risk factors, including waist to height ratio, blood pressure, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and insulin were measured. Adjusted ORs and multiplicative or additive interaction were calculated to assess the associations and effect modification, respectively.

RESULTS

Triglycerides, FBG, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were inversely associated with 25(OH)D concentrations (p<0.05) in both sexes. The OR of hyperglycemia among individuals with insufficient vitamin D was higher than those with adequate vitamin D after adjusting for covariates (OR: 1.47; 95% CI 1.26 to 1.70). Moreover, girls with insufficient vitamin D had significantly higher odds for hypertension and high total cholesterol than those with adequate vitamin D, which was not observed in boys. Thirty-two percent (95% CI 14% to 51%) of the increased odds of hyperglycemia can be explained by the interaction between insufficient vitamin D and obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with increased odds of various cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese children and has a synergistic effect on hyperglycemia with obesity.