Abstract
Aim. To report vitamin D status and its impact on metabolic parameters in people in the United Arab Emirates with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methodology. This cross-sectional study included 309 individuals with obesity and T2D who were randomly selected based on study criteria. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (s-25(OH)D), calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, glycemic profile, and cardiometabolic parameters were assessed in fasting blood samples, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results. Vitamin D deficiency (s-25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) was observed in 83.2% of the participants, with a mean s-25(OH)D of 33.8 ± 20.3 nmol/L. Serum 25(OH)D correlated negatively (P < 0.01) with body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B and positively (P < 0.01) with age and calcium concentration. Waist circumference was the main predictor of s-25(OH)D status. There was no significant association between serum 25(OH)D and glycemic profile. Conclusion. There is an overwhelming prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our sample of the Emirati population with obesity and T2D. Association of s-25(OH)D with body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass, markers of calcium homeostasis and cardiometabolic parameters suggests a role of vitamin D in the development of cardiometabolic disease-related process.
Highlights
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin with hormonal functions, and concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s25(OH)D) are largely determined by ultraviolet light exposure, dietary intake, and supplementation [1]
Vitamin D deficiency is an important public health problem worldwide [4], and the Middle East receives ample sunshine, people living in this region (15∘ to 36∘N) have high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D across all age groups [5, 6]
Our results confirm and augment the body of evidence that vitamin D deficiency is alarmingly high among people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with diabetes and obesity
Summary
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin with hormonal functions, and concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s25(OH)D) are largely determined by ultraviolet light exposure, dietary intake, and supplementation [1]. Vitamin D deficiency is an important public health problem worldwide [4], and the Middle East receives ample sunshine, people living in this region (15∘ to 36∘N) have high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D across all age groups [5, 6]. This has been attributed to several factors including limited exposure to sunlight, low dietary intake of vitamin D2, dark skin color, clothing, and religious practices that restrict sunlight exposure [6, 7]. These conditions may vary between countries based on geographical location and ethnicity
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