Vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance in obese African-American adolescents

Objective: The study aim determined if low 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels correlated with low levels of adiponectin and insulin resistance in African American adolescents with body mass index >= 85th%. Patients and methods: Fasting blood levels of adiponectin, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, insulin, glucose, lipid, leptin and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured in a total of 34 (19 study and 15 control) African American adolescents between the ages of 10 and 20 years. Nutritional vitamin D intake and body composition measurements were assessed. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment. Results: Adiponectin, fasting insulin, glucose, leptin, triglycerides, HDL, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels all reached statistical significance in the group with body mass index >= 85th percentile when compared to the control population. There was no difference in vitamin D intake between the two groups. Conclusions: Low vitamin D levels correlated with low adiponectin levels and obesity and insulin resistance.