Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between levels of vitamin A, E and D with markers of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in school-aged children.
Methods
300 children (101.08±18.47 mo) from rural area in Mexico participated in a cross-sectional study. Weight, height, waist circumference and body composition (by DXA) were determined. A fasting blood sample was taken to determine the concentrations of vitamin A, E and D, glucose, insulin, lipid profile, leptin, CRP, TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-10. Logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between variables.
Results
The combined prevalence of overweight/obesity was 28.9%, 18% had insulin resistance, 30% high triglycerides and 17% had low HDL concentrations. Vitamin A was positively associated and vitamin E:lipid ratio was negatively associated with BMI for age, body fat and waist/height ratio (p<0.001). Vitamin A was associated with a higher risk of having elevated leptin levels (OR 1.13, CI 95% 1.07, 1.19, p= 0.000). The risk of lower levels of CRP, IL-6, leptin and insulin resistance was reduced significantly in children with a higher vitamin E:lipid ratio (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33, 0.92 p= 0.023; OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.32, 0.73 p= 0.001; OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36, 0.84 p= 0.006; OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32, 0.87, p= 0.013). No association was found between vitamin D and the variables studied
Conclusions
Vitamin A was positively associated and vitamin E:lipid ratio was negatively associated with markers of obesity and inflammation in school-aged children living in rural Mexico.
