title: The relation of vitamin D deficiency with puberty and insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents.
abstract: The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has been rapidly increasing in recent years. Obese individuals are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of vitamin D deficiency with puberty and insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents. A total of 106 children and adolescents (48 prepubertal and 58 pubertal) between 8 and 16 years of age were included in the study. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, as well as blood glucose and insulin concentrations at 120 min of oral glucose tolerance test were measured. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment. Daily vitamin D intake was questioned. Serum 25(OH)D level was normal in only 3.8%, insufficient in 34.0%, and deficient in 62.2% of the subjects. There was a statistically significant rate of 25(OH)D deficiency in the pubertal group compared with that in the prepubertal group. Those subjects with 25(OH)D deficiency were found to have greater insulin resistance. Vitamin D deficiency is common among obese children and adolescents. Low vitamin D levels in obese individuals may accelerate the development of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease by further increasing insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Training and Research Hospital, 35020 Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muammer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buyukinan
authors.forename: Samim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozen
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kokkun
authors.forename: Eylem Ulas
authors.initials: EU
authors.lastname: Saz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011627:Puberty / Q000378:metabolism*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications*