Determinants of vitamin D status in young children: results from the Belgian arm of the IDEFICS (Identification and Prevention of Dietary- and Lifestyle-Induced Health Effects in Children and Infants) Study

Abstract

Objective: To describe the vitamin D status of Belgian children and examine the influence of non-nutritional determinants, in particular of anthropometric variables.

Design: Cross-sectional data of Belgian participants of the EU 6th Framework Programme IDEFICS (Identification and Prevention of Dietary- and Lifestyle-Induced Health Effects in Children and Infants) Study.

Setting: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured using RIA. Vitamin D status was categorized as deficient (<25 nmol/l), insufficient (25-50 nmol/l), sufficient (50-75 nmol/l) and optimal (≥75 nmol/l). Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses.

Subjects: Children (n 357) aged 4-11 years.

Results: Serum 25(OH)D ranged from 13·6 to 123·5 nmol/l (mean 47·2 (sd 14·6) nmol/l); with 5 % deficient, 53 % insufficient, 40 % sufficient and 2 % optimal. No significant differences were found by age and gender. Significant differences in 25(OH)D were observed for month of sampling (P < 0·001), number of hours playing outside per week (r = 0·140), weight (r = -0·121), triceps (r = -0·112) and subscapular (r = -0·119) skinfold thickness, sum of two skinfold thicknesses (r = -0·125) and waist circumference (r = -0·108). Linear regression analysis of 25(OH)D adjusted for age, month of sampling and hours playing outside per week suggested that (i) weight, (ii) BMI Z-score, (iii) waist circumference and (iv) triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (as well as the sum of both) independently influenced 25(OH)D.

Conclusions: The majority of Belgian children had a suboptimal vitamin D status, with more than half having an insufficient status in winter and spring. Month of the year, weekly number of hours playing outside and body composition - both central and abdominal obesity - were identified as important determinants of vitamin D status in Belgian children.