Effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum vitamin D levels and health outcomes in pediatric population with obesity/overweight: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Because 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol is lipophilic, children with obesity/overweight are at increased risk of its deficiency, potentially leading to health issues such as compromising bone mineralization and cardiometabolic health.

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to assess the impact of 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol supplementation on serum Vitamin D levels and various health parameters such as BMI and cardiovascular risk markers.

METHODOLOGY: Data were extracted from PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. Following search string was used in each database: (Vitamin D OR 25(OH)D OR cholecalciferol) AND (Obese OR Overweight) AND (randomized trial OR RCT OR intervention) AND (children OR adolescent OR pediatric). Clinical trials assessing the impact of 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol D supplementation in pediatric populations with overweight or obesity, regardless of formulation, dosage, or duration, were included. A total of 24 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 11 randomized controlled trials were eligible for meta-analysis. The included studies' quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB-2) tool. Primary outcome was serum Vitamin D levels while secondary outcomes include cardiovascular risk markers, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and change in BMI. Follow-up done at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 26 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.

RESULTS

Supplementing with 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol significantly raised the levels of serum vitamin D in children with obesity/overweight. No adverse events occurred following supplementation. Decrease in BMI, serum triglycerides and inflammatory markers were observed but its effects on metabolism and cardiovascular health remained insignificant. According to meta-analysis, vitamin D supplementation (interventional) arm group differed from the placebo by a standardized mean difference of 3.12 ng/ml (95% CI:1.72-4.52).

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D supplementation in children with overweight /obesity correct the deficiency and significantly raise Vitamin D levels with no adverse events. To assess effective therapies to enhance metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes in the pediatric population with overweight/obesity, new trials should be conducted.