Long-Term Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Obese Children During Integrated Weight–Loss Programme—A Double Blind Randomized Placebo–Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D was studied in regards to its possible impact on body mass reduction and metabolic changes in adults and children with obesity yet there were no studies assessing the impact of vitamin D supplementation during a weight management program in children and adolescence. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of 26 weeks of vitamin D supplementation in overweight and obese children undergoing an integrated 12-months' long weight loss program on body mass reduction, body composition and bone mineral density. Methods: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Vitamin D deficient patients (<30 ng/ml level of vitamin D) aged 6-14, participating in multidisciplinary weight management program were randomly allocated to receiving vitamin D (1200 IU) or placebo for the first 26 weeks of the intervention. Results: Out of the 152 qualified patients, 109 (72%) completed a full cycle of four visits scheduled in the program. There were no difference in the level of BMI (body mass index) change -both raw BMI and BMI centiles. Although the reduction of BMI centiles was greater in the vitamin D vs. placebo group (−4.28 ± 8.43 vs. −2.53 ± 6.10) the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.319). Similarly the reduction in fat mass-assessed both using bioimpedance and DEXa was achieved, yet the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our study ads substantial results to support the thesis on no effect of vitamin D supplementation on body weight reduction in children and adolescents with vitamin D insufficiency undergoing a weight management program.Nutrients 2020, 12, 1093 2 of 15 insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and impaired tolerance of glucose, abnormal fasting plasma glucose, symptomatic diabetes mellitus, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disorders, namely arterial hypertension [4][5][6]. Obesity alone is responsible for a significant increase in the risk of mortality in general population with [7]. In view of high risk of complications resulting from childhood obesity, early implementation of intervention programs seems to be vitally important, as in children and adolescents it is the first-choice intervention, although with limited effectiveness [8]. Several previous studies showed that integrated multidisciplinary weight-loss programs, which include the child's family as well, are the most effective [9][10][11]. Reduction of fat mass is associated with normalization of metabolic parameters, such as inflammatory markers, lipid profile, insulin resistance and arterial blood pressure [12][13][14]. Therefore, early and efficient intervention increases likelihood of staying healthy in the future. As pharmacological and surgical interventions in children are limited [15][16][17], trials looking for substances supporting lifestyle interventions were run, looking at several different dietary supplements, hers (green tea, yerba mate), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) among others [18][19][20][21][22]. Vitamin D was also studied in regards to its ...

Effect of Vitamin D and Docosahexaenoic Acid Co-Supplementation on Vitamin D Status, Body Composition, and Metabolic Markers in Obese Children: A Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Study

“…As expected, we found that FM% at the end of the study was independently associated with VDD status of the included subjects. Previous studies showed similar results in term of BMI [ 27 ], while others suggested a dose-related effect on BMI, waist circumference, and total fat mass [ 28 ].…”

Interrelationship between Vitamin D and Calcium in Obesity and Its Comorbid Conditions

“…Salehpour et al [ 121 ] presented inadequate data on the impact of VD 3 intake (25 μg as cholecalciferol) on glucose homeostasis in overweight or obese women with an average age of 38 ± 8 years old and a BMI of 29.9 ± 4.2 kg/m 2 . Brzezinski et al [ 122 ] observed an insignificant impact of 26-week VD (1200 IU) intake on body weight reduction in overweight and obese children aged 6–15 years old who had VD insufficiency (<30 ng/mL). Additionally, Jones et al [ 123 ] showed that supplementation of dairy (~700 mg per day of CAL with 500 kcal per day) and CAL-rich dairy (~1400 mg per day of CAL with 500 kcal per day) had no effect in increasing weight loss.…”

“…Two different continents in the same population also influenced the CAL concentrations [ 131 ]. Therefore, these variables may predominance the inadequate evidence of VD–CAL supplementation in obese populations [ 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 ].…”

Association of Vitamins D, B9 and B12 with Obesity-Related Diseases and Oral Microbiota Composition in Obese Women in Croatia

“…Probiotic bacteria, mainly belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium , besides many health benefits, can produce vitamins ( 5 ) such as folate ( 6 ), and some other members of the gut microflora can produce cobalamin (B 12 ). Folic acid and vitamin B 12 are both required for normal cell division because of their involvement in DNA synthesis and amino acid metabolism.…”