Abstract / Summary
Background: Because 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol is lipophilic, children with obesity/overweight are at increased risk of its deficiency, potentially leading to health issues such as compromising bone mineralization and cardiometabolic health.
Objectives: Our goal was to assess the impact of 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol supplementation on serum Vitamin D levels and various health parameters such as BMI and cardiovascular risk markers.
Methodology: Data were extracted from PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. Following search string was used in each database: (Vitamin D OR 25(OH)D OR cholecalciferol) AND (Obese OR Overweight) AND (randomized trial OR RCT OR intervention) AND (children OR adolescent OR pediatric). Clinical trials assessing the impact of 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol D supplementation in pediatric populations with overweight or obesity, regardless of formulation, dosage, or duration, were included. A total of 24 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 11 randomized controlled trials were eligible for meta-analysis. The included studies' quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB-2) tool. Primary outcome was serum Vitamin D levels while secondary outcomes include cardiovascular risk markers, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and change in BMI. Follow-up done at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 26 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Results: Supplementing with 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol significantly raised the levels of serum vitamin D in children with obesity/overweight. No adverse events occurred following supplementation. Decrease in BMI, serum triglycerides and inflammatory markers were observed but its effects on metabolism and cardiovascular health remained insignificant. According to meta-analysis, vitamin D supplementation (interventional) arm group differed from the placebo by a standardized mean difference of 3.12 ng/ml (95% CI:1.72-4.52).
Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in children with overweight /obesity correct the deficiency and significantly raise Vitamin D levels with no adverse events. To assess effective therapies to enhance metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes in the pediatric population with overweight/obesity, new trials should be conducted.