Lower vitamin D intake is associated with low HDL cholesterol and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in Brazilian children

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association of vitamin D intake with dyslipidaemia and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in Brazilian children and identify the main food group sources of this nutrient in the sample.

Design: A cross-sectional study carried out with a representative sample. Blood was collected after 12 h of fasting. Laboratory tests were performed to determine total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol, TAG, apoB, apoA1, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Dietary intake was evaluated by a 24 h recall.

Setting: Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Subjects: Children between 8 and 9 years old enrolled in urban schools (n 378).

Results: We found an elevated prevalence of inadequate vitamin D intake (91·3 %), dyslipidaemia (72·8 %) and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (56·2 %). The food groups that contributed the most to vitamin D intake were dairy products and fish. Lower vitamin D intake was associated with increased prevalence of both low HDL-C (prevalence ratio=2·51; 95 % CI 1·02, 6·18; P<0·05) and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (prevalence ratio=1·61; 95 % CI 1·01, 2·58; P<0·05).

Conclusions: Given the elevated prevalence of inadequate vitamin D intake and its association with low HDL-C and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency, it is important to develop specific actions in food and nutritional education as well as programmes that stimulate and facilitate access to vitamin D food sources, such as dairy products and fish.

Keywords: Dairy products; Dyslipidaemia; Fish; Micronutrients; Nutritional Deficiency.

Fig. 1

Vitamin D intake (, <10 µg/d; , ≥10 µg/d) according to the consumption of dairy products, eggs and fish (equal to or greater than the median, ≥P50; less than the median, <P50) by urban schoolchildren aged 8–9 years (n 378), Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2015. Dairy intake: P50=169·2 g/d (P<0·001*); egg intake: P50=16·7 g/d (P=0·184); fish intake: P50=6·7 g/d (P=0·009). *P<0·05 (Fisher’s exact test)