Body mass index and serum vitamin D levels in Cuban, African, and Haitian Americans with type 2 diabetes (1029.7)

Abstract

Objective: Observational studies have found serum vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/ml were associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and all‐cause mortality. Diabetes, race/ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI) are independent risk factors of vitamin D deficiency.Methods: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Florida International University. Participants were recruited by a purchased mailing list of individuals with type 2 diabetes. The final sample size was N= 372 (110 Cuban‐, 134 Haitian‐, and 128 African‐ Americans). BMI was calculated from height and weight (kg/m2) measured in the Human Nutrition Laboratory. Serum vitamin D was determined from fasted blood using enzyme‐immunoassay kit by absorbance. Reduced and adjusted general linear models were conducted to test BMI with serum vitamin D. Vitamin D insufficiency by ethnicity and BMI was assessed by logistic regression analysis.Results: The proportion of vitamin D deficiency was high across ethnicities with a higher percent among African (90.1%) compared to Haitian (80.5%, p=0.041) and Cuban (75%, p=0.023). There was an inverse association of BMI with serum vitamin D adjusting for age, smoking, glycemic control, energy intake, and gender (β=‐0.393, SE=0.16, p=0.015). African Americans compared to Cuban Americans had a higher adjusted odds of vitamin D insufficiency [OR=2.67(1.19, 6.03) p=0.017].Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficiency was high (between 75‐90%) for these ethnic‐minorities. Regardless of ethnicity, higher BMI was associated with lower serum vitamin D in a multiethnic cohort with type 2 diabetes.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH/NIDDK sponsored grant.