One factor that contributes to inappropriate weight gain in children is low vitamin D¹, a society-wide problem.  “Our findings suggest that low vitamin D status may put children at risk of obesity,” said Diane Gilbert-Diamond, first author of the study. “This is significant because vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent across the globe and childhood obesity rates are dramatically increasing worldwide.”

Vitamin D is known to be metabolically active in white adipose tissue fat cells, a needed nutrient for “fit fat.”  Vitamin D also assists bone metabolism which is now linked to insulin metabolism and potential insulin resistance which would also cause obesity.

Regardless of the precise mechanism involved it is now clear that children low in vitamin D are prone to a rapidly expanding waistline.  The dose of vitamin D in the winter for school age children should range from 1000 IU - 2000 IU.  I should point out that vitamin D is also needed for a healthy immune response.

Posted by Byron J Richards at 03:10 PM.

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