Défice de Vitamina D: Comorbilidade da Obesidade Pediátrica ou Consequência do Estilo de Vida?

Abstract

Introduction: Hypovitaminosis D in childhood and adolescence is associated with reduced bone mass, as well as higher risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Studies regarding vitamin D status and bone health in the Portuguese paediatric population are rare. This study aimed to characterise vitamin D and bone mineralisation status in children and adolescents living in the Porto region and to analyse its relation with nutritional status and patterns of physical activity. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 122 healthy children and adolescents (5-18 years), for which data were collected during the winter and spring months of 2011 and 2012. Anthropometric data, body composition (Inbody 230®), bone mass index (DXA of L1-L4) and physical activity were assessed and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and phosphate and calcium parameters were measured. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D values < 20 ng/ml. Low bone mass for chronological age was defined as bone mineral density Z-score values - 2.0. Results: Nearly half (47.8%) of the subjects were vitamin D deficient, and 4.7% presented low bone mass for chronological age. 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were inversely correlated with parathyroid hormone (r = 0.342; p = 0.013) but no relation was found with nutritional status (body mass index), fat mass, bone mass or physical activity. Discussion: We observed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents living in the Porto region, with no relation with nutritional status or patterns of physical activity. In order to reduce future consequences for public health, it is essential to ascertain the situation at the national level.