Association between Vitamin D Concentration and Visceral Fat Area in Healthy Korean Adults

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Studies on the relationship between vitamin D and visceral fat area (VFA; intra-abdominal fat area) have been actively conducted. But, there is a few Korean population-based studies about the association between serum vitamin D level and VFA. The aim of our study was to explore the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and VFA measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; electric impedance) in healthy Korean adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 1,945 adults aged 20-70 years who visited a health promotion center. All subjects underwent the BIA to estimate the VFA. Serum 25(OH)D level was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify independent correlation of VFA and serum 25(OH)D level. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D 20-29 ng/mL) and insufficiency (25[OH]D <20 ng/mL) were 54.4% and 38.1%, respectively. After having adjusted age and season, VFA were negatively associated with serum 25(OH)D levels in both men (P<0.001) and women (P<0.001). The obese group with VFA ≥ 100 cm² had significant lower serum 25(OH)D level in men (P<0.001) and women (P=0.0034). CONCLUSIONS: VFA measured using BIA could be negatively associated with serum 25(OH)D levels in healthy Korean adult.