High Vitamin D Linked to Less Weight Gain

PORTLAND, OregonHigher blood levels of vitamin D were associated with less weight gain in women older than 65 years, suggesting low vitamin D status may predispose to fat accumulation, according to a new study published online in the Journal of Women's Health (DOI:10.1089/jwh.2012.3506).

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northwest measured the vitamin D levels (as  25(OH)D) of 4,659 elderly women and followed up with them after 4.5 years. The women were weighed at baseline and follow-up visits, and  1,054 of the women had their vitamin D levels remeasured at follow-up.

 Overall, 25(OH)D status was not associated with weight change over 4.5 years, although there was a significant interaction between 25(OH)D status and weight change category (loss, gain or  stable) (P<0.0001). In women who gained  more than 5-percent body weight, those with baseline 25(OH)D levels 30&#8201;ng/mL or higher gained 16.4 pounds (12.2 percent of baseline weight) over 4.5 years compared to 18.5 pounds (13.9 percent of baseline weight) in women with levels lower than 30&#8201;ng/mL (P=0.04).

Among women who gained weight and had 25(OH)D measured at both visits, having sustained or developing 25(OH)D levels of 30&#8201;ng/mL or greater was associated with less weight gain between visits (14.81 vs. 16.34 pounds, P=0.04).

Women with 25(OH)D levels less than 30&#8201;ng/mL had lower baseline weight (141.6 pounds) compared to women with 25(OH)D levels higher than 30&#8201;ng/mL (148.6 pounds) (P<0.001).

In women who lost 5-percent or more of their body weight or remained stable (less than 5-percent weight change), there was no association between 25(OH)D status at baseline and weight change.

Vitamin D has been associated with a number of health benefits, including a recent meta analysis that found vitamin D and calcium reduced mortality in the elderly.