Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (VD) deficiency and childhood obesity are a public health problem in Mexico. Both are related to the development of various chronic diseases. It is important to describe and identify the main risk factors involved in VD deficiency in this population. OBJECTIVE: To describe VD intake in obese Mexican adolescents and evaluate its association with serum 25(OH)D concentrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 80 obese adolescents from Mexico City. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary intake, sun exposure, and physical activity data were collected. A blood sample was taken to determine serum 25(OH)D concentrations. RESULTS: VD deficiency and insufficiency occurred in 30% and 42.2% of adolescents. The median VD intake was 110.4 IU/day and the mean sun exposure score was 13 ± 7.5. Serum 25(OH)D levels were correlated with vitamin D intake (p = 0.010). Concentrations of 25(OH)D in serum were similar when compared between sex, sunscreen use, season, and skin type (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VD deficiency in adolescents with obesity is high. In contrast with its dietary intake and degree of sun exposure which are considerably low. A significant association was observed between dietary VD intake and serum 25(OH)D concentrations.