title: Association of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D with mental well-being in a population-based, nationally representative sample of German adolescents.
abstract: Numerous studies have linked vitamin D to health-related quality of life (hrQoL) in chronically ill adults or elderly subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and hrQoL in a population-based sample of German adolescents.
  
  
  
  A total of n = 5066 study participants from the nationwide, representative German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey) aged 11-17 years were included in this post hoc analysis. HrQoL was measured using the well-validated self- and parent-rated Children's Quality of Life questionnaires (KINDL-R), while the level of distress was assessed using the self- and proxy version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined using a commercially available chemiluminescence immunoassay.
  
  
  
  Bivariate analyses demonstrated a significant positive association between 25(OH)D and hrQoL for both self- [estimate (E) = 0.82, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 0.35-1.30, p = 0.001] and parent ratings (E = 1.33, 95 % CI 0.83-1.83, p < 0.001). In addition, we found negative correlations between 25(OH)D and self- (E = -0.34, 95 % CI -0.58 to -0.11, p = 0.005) and parent-reported total SDQ scores (E = -0.70, 95 % CI -1.03 to -0.37, p < 0.001). Generalized linear models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, migration background, socio-economic status, and sedentary screen time confirmed that 25(OH)D independently and significantly predicted better hrQoL (p ≤ 0.004).
  
  
  
  These findings linking 25(OH)D to better well-being in a nationally representative sample of German children and adolescents suggest beneficial effects of vitamin D on mental health. However, recommendations for vitamin supplementation in healthy children and adolescents are not warranted from our data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, University of Göttingen Medical Centre, University of Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Theresa Katharina
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, University of Göttingen Medical Centre, University of Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herrmann-Lingen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, University of Göttingen Medical Centre, University of Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany. thomas.meyer@med.uni-goettingen.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000639:trends*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: Adolescents; Health-related quality of life; Psychological distress; Vitamin D