Low levels of vitamin d linked to obesity in children (HealthDay)

(Friday, April 29, HealthDay News) - a vitamin d deficiency is common among American children and related to obesity and the different types of fat distribution in young whites and blacks, shows new research.

Vitamin d is found in some foods, but humans synthesize most of the nutrients that they need the action of the Sun on exposed skin. Supplements may also stimulate vitamin d levels.

In the study, researchers checked the levels of vitamin d in 237 obese healthy and non-obese black and white children, aged 8 to 18 years. They found that most of them were deficient in vitamin d. low levels of vitamin d are associated with the index higher body mass and levels of fat and lower levels of HDL "good" (HDL) cholesterol.

Among those who have a vitamin D deficiency, white children were more likely to have higher levels of fat between their internal organs (visceral), while black children was more likely to have high levels of fat just under the skin (adipose subcutaneous)investigators found.

The study is published in the may issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & metabolism.

"Vitamin d deficiency is endemic in American youth, and it is suggested that low levels of vitamin d plays a role in increasing rates of type 2 diabetes adults." It is possible that may even be true for young people with diabetes type, of the University of Pittsburgh 2, lead author Dr. Silva Arslanian, said in a press release of the endocrine society.

"More therapeutic interventions to correct the high levels of vitamin d deficiency among youth, benefits of vitamin d optimization on fat, lipid profile [blood lipids] levels and the risk of diabetes type 2 must be explored""Arslanian added."

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on children and vitamin d.

View the original article here