Determining the Association of Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Overweight and Obese Adolescents

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to obesity and overweight in adolescents. Despite high vitamin D deficiency, few studies in other countries have found lower parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in obese adolescents. The study's goal is to evaluate vitamin D and PTH levels, as well as their relationship, in overweight and obese adolescents in Telangana. This cross-sectional study included 108 overweight and obese boys and girls aged 12 to 18. A pretested Questionnaire was used to collect demographic, sun exposure, medical, and nutritional history information. Anthropometry and blood samples were collected in order to calculate 25 hydroxy vitamin D and PTH. Body mass index Z scores (WHO growth standards) were used to assess adolescent overweight and obesity. Boys made up 54.6% of the subjects. Mean (SD) levels of vitamin D and PTH were 18.25 (9.26) ng/mL and 45.39 (28.23) ng/L respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the current study was 54.6% and 25.9% respectively. However, PTH levels were high only in 24.2% of subjects ([65 ng/L). Vitamin D and PTH had an inverse but non-significant relationship. After controlling for age, gender, and weight, the association remained the same. Our findings highlight the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Telangana's overweight and obese adolescents. Despite having a high vitamin D deficiency, very few of the adolescents had high PTH levels, suggesting that the vitamin D-PTH axis may be altered in overweight and obese adolescents.