Study highlights:
• Low levels of vitamin D were associated with increased risk of high blood pressure, high blood sugar and metabolic syndrome in teenagers.
• The highest levels of vitamin D were found in whites, the lowest levels in blacks and intermediate levels in Mexican-Americans.

PALM HARBOR, Fla., March 11, 2009 — Low levels of vitamin D were associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, high blood sugar and metabolic syndrome in teenagers, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s 49th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

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In the study, researchers analyzed 3,577 adolescents, 12 to 19 years old (51 percent boys), who participated in the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2001–2004.

After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, socioeconomic status and physical activity, researchers found the adolescents with the lowest levels of vitamin D were:
• 2.36 times more likely to have high blood pressure;
• 2.54 times more likely to have high blood sugar; and
• 3.99 times more likely to have metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors including elevated waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol and high fasting glucose levels. The presence of three or more of the factors increases a person’s risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“We showed strong associations between low levels of vitamin D and higher risk of high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and metabolic syndrome among adolescents, confirming the results of studies among adults,” said Jared P. Reis, Ph.D., the study’s lead author and post-doctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

Researchers used a biomarker of vitamin D to measure levels in blood. The biomarker measures vitamin D obtained from food, vitamin supplementation and exposure to sunlight.

The ethnic breakdown was similar to the general U.S. population: 64.7 percent non-Hispanic whites; 13.5 percent non-Hispanic blacks; and 11 percent Mexican Americans.

The study highlights the association between high levels of vitamin D and lower risk of heart disease. The highest levels of vitamin D were found in whites, the lowest levels in blacks and intermediate levels in Mexican Americans. Whites had almost twice as high levels as blacks.

In whites, the average level of vitamin D was 28.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL); in blacks, 15.5 ng/mL; and in Mexican Americans, 21.5 ng/mL.

“Although our study is important, we believe clinical trials designed to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of heart disease risk factors in adolescents should be conducted before recommendations can be made for vitamin D in the prevention of cardiovascular disease,” Reis said.

The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily intake of vitamin D of 200 International Units (IU) for those less than 50 years, which includes children and adolescents. More recent recommendations, however, from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests a daily intake of 400 IU daily. While these intakes have been shown to be important in the prevention of skeletal conditions such as rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults, some specialists have suggested intakes of at least 1,000 IU daily may be needed for overall health.

Low levels of vitamin D are strongly associated with overweight and abdominal obesity. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it may be sequestered within adipose tissue. This may explain why those who are obese are more likely to be vitamin D deficient, Reis said.

Vitamin D plays a useful role in general human health, particularly in bone health. Other roles are emerging, Reis said. “This is an exciting time; since we are just now beginning to understand the role that vitamin D may play in cardiovascular health.”

“These data on serum vitamin D levels in young people raise some concern about their food choices and even the amount of time they spend in the sunshine,” said Robert H. Eckel, M.D., American Heart Association past president. “The American Heart Association recommends an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, and that people get their nutrients primarily from food sources rather than supplements.”

Co-authors are: Denise von Muhlen, M.D., Ph.D.; Edgar R. Miller III, M.D., Ph.D.; Erin D. Michos, M.D., M.H.S.; and Lawrence J. Appel, M.D., M.P.H.

NR09-1037 (EPI 09/Reis)

(Note: Actual presentation time is 6 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 11, 2009)

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ALL FOR RELEASE AT: 1:55 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Abstract 9 – Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increasing among U.S. adults, adolescents
Vitamin D deficiency is increasing among adults and adolescents in the United States, according to a new analysis of long-term NHANES data presented at the American Heart Association’s Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. Researchers at New York Hospital Queens and Weill Cornell Medical College showed the prevalence rose from 2.6 percent in 1988–94 to 9.2 percent in 2005–06. However, these estimates are conservative. Using the newly recommended definition of vitamin D deficiency, the prevalence rose from 21 percent in 1988-94 to 41 percent in 2005-06.

Prevalence was highest among non-Hispanic blacks and was associated with increasing weight. Researchers said a national fortification strategy should be considered, but more research is needed to determine the optimal vitamin D levels. 

Abstract 10 – Dietary vitamin D associated with body fat percentage, visceral fat in healthy adolescents
Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, analyzed 659 teenagers attending nearby schools to determine the association between dietary vitamin D, body fat and visceral fat. They presented their results at the American Heart Association’s Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. Black females had the lowest levels of vitamin D and the highest levels of body fat. Only white males received sufficient dietary vitamin D, while most teenagers did not. Researchers say encouraging teens to increase their dietary intake of vitamin D may be an additional strategy along with vigorous exercise to prevent obesity during adolescence.

(Note: Actual presentation time is 2:10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 11, 2009)

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