Vitamin D and Associations with Walking Ability in Community- Dwelling Elderly Adults

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowEpidemiological studies have suggested a positive association between vitamin D status and physical function. In order to improve our understanding of vitamin D and physical function, the present analysis investigated the associations between vitamin D status and walking ability in community-dwelling elderly adults, with particular consideration of body fatness and physical activity. This was a secondary, cross-sectional analysis, using baseline data from a randomized, controlled trial. The subjects were elderly adults living in a community (N=236, 73.7 ± 5.7 years, 58.2% female). BMI, body composition and serum 25-OH vitamin D were measured. Walking ability was assessed by the distance covered in a six-minute walk (6MWD). The dietary intake of vitamin D was estimated with a 3-day weighed food record, and physical activity was self-reported. The average serum 25-OH vitamin D levels mean was 67 ± 28 nmol/l. Serum 25-OH vitamin D correlated with self-reported physical activity in minutes per week (r=0.222, P=0.001). It also correlated with physical function in the 6MWD (r=0.264, P=0.037). Dietary vitamin D correlated with serum OH-25 vitamin D (r=0.297, P <0.001). Serum 25-OH vitamin D correlated negatively with BMI and fat mass (r= -0.165, P= 0.012 and r=-0.145, P=0.030). In this cross-sectional analysis we found associations between walking ability and vitamin D status in community-dwelling elder adults. However, these associations were not independent and were mostly explained by the confounding factors of BMI and self-reported physical activity

Associations of physical activity with vitamin D status depends on obesity status in old adults.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowPurpose: Obesity has been associated with low 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD). The causes of hypovitaminosis D in obese individuals are not known. The present work aimed to investigate 25OHD in obese and normal-/overweight subjects with consideration of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). Methods: Community-dwelling old adults (N = 229, 73.7 ± 5.7yrs, 58.2% female) from the Reykjavik capital area in Iceland participated in this cross-sectional study. LTPA, vitamin D intake, body composition and background variables were assessed. 25OHD was measured in fasting blood samples. Results: Mean LTPA was 5.7 ± 5.6 h/week and the common activities were walking and gardening. Mean 25OHD was 66.7 ± 28.1 nmol/L and 8.5/21.2% were below 30 and 50 nmol/L, respectively. Obese participants (n = 84) had lower 25OHD (-11.0 ± 3.8 nmol/L,P < 0.001) and lower LTPA (-2.5 + 0.8 h/week,P = 0.001) than normal-/overweight subjects (n = 145). Linear models showed that LTPA (h/week) was associated with higher 25OHD in normal-/overweight participants only (1.3 nmol/L, P < 0.001) but not in obese (-0.7 nmol, P = 0.245). Fish oil intake was associated with higher 25OHD both in normal-/overweight (19.2 ± 4.5 nmol/L, P = 0.001) and obese subjects (13.4 ± 5.3 nmol/L, P = 0.013). Conclusions: Obese community-dwelling old adults in Iceland have lower 25OHD than their normal-/overweight counterparts. LTPA was associated with a higher 25OHD in normal-/overweight, but not in obese participants. However, fish oil was associated with higher 25OHD independently from obesity status. Thus, vitamin D supplementation is important for obese old adults to maintain vitamin D levels. Keywords: Aging; Fish oil; Leisure-time physical activity; Obesity; Vitamin D.Icelandic Technology Development Fund Istanbul University Landspitali University Hospital Research Fund Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fun