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Increased vitamin D-binding protein and decreased free 25(OH)D in obese women of reproductive age

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Abstract

Purpose

Obese subjects have lower circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) than normal-weight subjects. Knowledge is scarce regarding differences in vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), free 25(OH)D, and intake of vitamin D between normal-weight and obese subjects. The purpose of this study was to examine intake and vitamin D status in obese compared with normal-weight women.

Methods

Between September 2009 and October 2011, 43 obese and 43 normal-weight women, 22–45 years of age, mean BMI of 39.1 ± 4.6 and 21.6 ± 1.8 kg/m2, respectively, were recruited in the western Sweden region (latitude 57°N). Blood samples, data regarding diet, and sun exposure were collected.

Results

DBP concentrations were 320 ± 121 and 266 ± 104 μg/mL (P = 0.02) in obese and normal-weight women, respectively. Calculated free 25(OH)D was 13.3 ± 5.5 (obese) and 23.7 ± 10.7 (normal-weight) (P < 0.001). The obese women had a 20.1 nmol/L lower mean 25(HO)D concentration compared to normal-weight women (P < 0.001). 56 % of obese women and 12 % of normal-weight women had 25(OH)D concentrations ≤50 nmol/L. There was no statistically significant difference in total vitamin D intake between the groups. 39 % of the women had a total vitamin D intake <7.5 μg/day, the current national recommendation for vitamin D in Sweden.

Conclusions

Obese women had higher DBP concentrations compared with normal-weight women and lower free 25(OH)D. The obese women were more likely to have 25(OH)D concentrations that could be considered suboptimal. Vitamin D intake was generally low in normal-weight and obese women of childbearing age.

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Acknowledgments

We express our gratitude to the women who participated in our study. Also, we are grateful to the personnel at the Obesity Unit at the Sahlgrenska University hospital for their assistance in recruiting the obese participants. The authors’ responsibilities were as follows—T.K., N.J., and A.H.: designed research; T.K.: conducted research; T.K.: analyzed data; A.H., N.J., T.K., I.L., A.O., and L.H. did data interpretation; T.K. and I.L.: wrote the paper; I.L. and A.H.: had primary responsibility for final content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Supported by grants from Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Swedish Research Council (No. 12206), the Swedish Diabetes Association Research Foundation, the Swedish federal government under the LUA/ALF agreement, IngaBritt and Arne Lundbergs Foundation, Freemasonry Barnhus Board in Gothenburg, the Mary von Sydow Foundation, the Herbert and Karin Jacobsson Foundation, and the Wilhelm and Martina Lundgren Foundation.

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 432, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden

    Therese Karlsson, Nina Jansson & Agneta Holmäng

  2. Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden

    Amra Osmancevic

  3. Department of Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden

    Lena Hulthén

  4. Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden

    Ingrid Larsson

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  1. Therese Karlsson
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Correspondence to Therese Karlsson.

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Karlsson, T., Osmancevic, A., Jansson, N. et al. Increased vitamin D-binding protein and decreased free 25(OH)D in obese women of reproductive age. Eur J Nutr 53, 259–267 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0524-8

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