The connection between hormonal imbalance and vitamin D deficiency in some Egyptian obese children

Abstract

Purpose of this study was to look into the possibility that hormonal abnormalities in obese Egyptian kids could be linked to vitamin D insufficiency. One 100 kids between four and eleven were recruited from National Nutrition Institute’s outpatient clinic in Cairo, Egypt. There were two groups of subject: 30 healthy children with normal weight, and 70 obese children (BMI ≥95th percentile). All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests, including serum vitamin D, thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), as well as insulin levels. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and pancreatic β-cell function (HOMA-%B) were calculated. Findings demonstrated a substantial and positive correlation between vitamin D and thyroxine (T4) (r=.359, p=.005) and triiodothyronine (T3) (r=.284, p=.028). In contrast, it showed a significant inverse relationship with TSH (r=-.481, p<0.001). Additionally, there were significant inverse relationships between vitamin D levels and insulin. (r=-.808, p=.000), HOMA-%B (r=-0.683, p=0.000), and HOMA-IR (r=-0.829, p=0.000). These results imply vitamin D insufficiency is closely attached thyroid dysfunction and resistance to insulin in obese children. Early detection and treatment of vitamin D lack may help prevent endocrine and metabolic complications.