Obesity May Cause Vitamin D Deficiency

LONDONResearchers from University College London found obesity can lead to vitamin D deficiency after studying genetic markers from 42,000 subjects. Peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE published the study, "Causal Relationship between Obesity and Vitamin D Status: Bi-Directional Mendelian Randomization Analysis of Multiple Cohorts," on Feb. 5, 2013.

For the study, scientists analyzed the link between body mass index (BMI) and genes associated with vitamin D metabolism and synthesis. They fond a 10-percent rise in BMI was connected to a 4-percent decrease in vitamin D concentrations. Researchers noted a higher BMI leads to lower vitamin Dbut not the other way around. Previous studies have linked obesity and vitamin D, though the relationship was not established as causal.

"Together with the suggested increases in vitamin D requirements in obese individuals, our study highlights the importance of monitoring and treating vitamin D deficiency as a means of alleviating the adverse influences of excess adiposity on health," the study authors noted.

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