The association between vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome and its components among female teachers residing in Yazd city

Abstract

Background: Studies trying to find the association between vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have led to inconsistent results, and community-based data for individuals living in the Middle East are limited.

Objectives: To find out if MetS and its components are associated with vitamin D status among female teachers residing in Yazd city during winter 2015.

Materials and methods: A total of 276 female teachers (case group, n=124 and control group, n=152) aged 20-60 years were included. Weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, daily energy intake, physical activity, serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D₃), fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were assessed. Logistic regression was used to examine the odds ratio of MetS according to vitamin D status.

Results: Mean serum 25(OH)D₃ was 32.79±18.62ng/ml and 33.73±20.20, in females with and without MetS, respectively (P>0.142). Compared to those with 25(OH)D₃of <20ng/ml, the odds ratio for MetS was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.48-2.13) and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.56-1.60) for those with serum 25(OH)D₃ levels of 20-29ng/ml and ≥30ng/ml, respectively (P trend=0.84). The association remained insignificant after adjusting for potential confounders. Furthermore, vitamin D status was not associated with MetS components (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Although several studies have claimed the association between vitamin D status and MetS, we could not find a similar connection in a sample of Iranian female teachers. Prospective studies are needed to determine the possible effect of vitamin D in the development of MetS, particularly in the Yazd province.

Keywords: 25(OH)D(3); Female; Metabolic syndrome; Mujeres; Síndrome metabólico; Yazd.