Association of serum vitamin D with osteosarcopenic obesity: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010.

Abstract

BackgroundSerum vitamin D levels have been reported to be associated with individual components of body composition. However, the relationship between serum vitamin D and combined indices of adverse body composition is largely unknown. This cross‐sectional study examined the association between serum vitamin D and osteosarcopenic obesity in a nationally representative sample of middle‐aged and older adults.MethodsWe analysed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (IV and V) conducted in 2008–2010, consisting of 5908 (2485 men, 3423 women) aged ≥ 50 years. Serum vitamin D levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, and body composition was evaluated by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. The association between serum vitamin D levels and the number of abnormalities in body composition, including osteosarcopenic obesity, a low bone and muscle mass with concurrent high fat mass, was analysed by multinomial logistic regression adjusting for covariates.ResultsIn men, after controlling for covariates, higher vitamin D levels were associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of the number of phenotypes of adverse body composition (P for trend < 0.05). Those in the highest tertile group of serum vitamin D levels, compared with those in the lowest tertile, were less likely to have adverse body composition, numbering one (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49, 0.92), two (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.73), and three (osteosarcopenic obesity; OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.67). In women, those in the highest tertile group of serum vitamin D levels, compared with those in the lowest tertile, were less likely to have osteosarcopenic obesity (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.93). Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) in men was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of a higher number of adverse body composition, especially for osteosarcopenic obesity (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.42, 3.03). Vitamin D deficient women, compared with those having normal levels of serum vitamin D, were also more likely to demonstrate osteosarcopenic obesity (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.30, 3.05).ConclusionsA high serum vitamin D level in mid‐ and late‐life was associated with reduced odds of multiple adverse body composition, especially osteosarcopenic obesity, suggesting potential health benefits of maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D.