The Association of Vitamin D Insufficiency with the Prevalence of Obesity in Children: Implications for Serum Calcium Levels, Alkaline Phosphatase Activity, and Bone Maturation

Background: Vitamin D deficiency emerges as a potential risk factor implicated in a spectrum of detrimental health outcomes. However, its role in school-aged children’s metabolic regulation remains to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and childhood obesity rates, and its impact on serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and bone age in children. Methods: The study analyzed clinical data from 159 school-aged children who underwent medical examinations. The children were divided into the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) deficiency group and the 25(OH)D3 normalgroup based on their serum levels. The two groups were compared in terms of body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood G=glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), calcium (Ca), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bone age differences. Results: This study showed that the 25(OH)D3 deficiency cohort exhibited notably higher BMI, TC, TG, and ALP levels compared to the 25(OH)D3 normal cohort, whereas Ca and bone age were vigorously lowered in the 25(OH)D3 deficiency group. Moreover, BMI, TC, TG, Ca, ALP, and bone age have a significant diagnostic value in forecasting 25(OH)D3 deficiency in school-aged children. Correlation analysis revealed an inverse relationship between 25(OH)D3 levels and BMI, TC, TG, and ALP, as well as a positive association with serum Ca levels and bone age. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that the deficiency of 25(OH)D3 is positively correlated with the incidence of obesity among school-aged children, which may adversely affect normal skeletal development. Therefore, regularly monitoring the levels of 25(OH)D3 is crucial for clinicians and healthcare providers in accurately assessing and ensuring the proper growth and development of school-aged children.