Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Vitamin D Status Differs by Race and Ethnicity

Abstract
Obesity has been linked to lower serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] values, but whether this relationship differs by race/ethnicity is not clear. This study examines the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and body mass index (BMI) by race and ethnicity in 3 461 women (1 291 non-Hispanic whites, 1 189 non-Hispanic blacks, 981 Mexican Americans) ages 20-49 years from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-94). Serum 25(OH)D values were measured with an RIA kit (DiaSorin, Stillwater OK), while BMI was calculated from measured height and weight. BMI was negatively related to serum 25(OH)D in all three groups, but the relationship was noticeably stronger in whites than in blacks or Mexican Americans. Adjusting for confounders reduced, but did not remove, these differences in relationship strength. In conclusion, the serum 25(OH)D-BMI relationship in young adult women varies by race and ethnicity, being stronger in whites than in blacks or Mexican Americans. The basis for this variation requires further investigation.

Key words
serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D status, obesity, race

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