Association between serum vitamin D concentrations and Life's Essential 8 score in American adolescents.

INTRODUCTION

This study sought to use the latest Life's Essential 8 scoring tool to obtain information on the relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and adolescent cardiovascular health (CVH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 1,819 teenagers aged 16-19 were enrolled. Associations between serum vitamin D concentrations and CVH ratings were estimated using multiple linear regression and multinomial logistic regression methods, and the dose-response relationship was examined by restricted cubic spline analysis.

RESULTS

After adjusting for all confounding factors, serum vitamin D concentrations were positively correlated with CVH scores (β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.09-0.14, < 0.001). Among the sex and race subgroups, the correlation was stronger in male, Mexican American and Non-Hispanic Black participants, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.03-1.07), 1.06 (95% CI: 1.04-1.08), = 0.002), 1.07 (95% CI: 1.03-1.11), 1.09 (95% CI: 1.05-1.14), = 0.01, 1.04 (95% CI: 1.01-1.06), and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02-1.09), = 0.01, respectively. Serum vitamin D concentrations had a nonlinear relationship with CVH ratings. CVH scores grew with serum vitamin D concentrations up to the inflection point (86 nmol/l) (β = 0.17 (95% CI: 0.135-0.206, < 0.001). When serum vitamin D concentrations exceeded 86 nmol/l, CVH scores were not associated with serum vitamin D concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified a nonlinear relationship between serum vitamin D levels and CVH in US adolescents aged 16-19, with an inflection point at 86 nmol/l. These findings underscore the importance of vitamin D in adolescent CVH and suggest the need for targeted health strategies, particularly in high-risk groups such as male, Mexican American, and Non-Hispanic Black teenagers.