Correcting Low Vitamin D Levels in Obese Adolescents Improves Insulin Sensitivity

Obese adolescents often have insufficient vitamin D levels, and poor vitamin D status has been associated with abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Investigators assessed the effect of correcting low vitamin D levels on inflammatory and metabolic abnormalities in 35 obese adolescents (mean age, 14 years; mean body-mass index [BMI], 39.8 kg/m²; mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 19 ng/mL) who were randomized to receive vitamin D₃ (4000 IU/day) or placebo for 6 months.

At 3 months, serum 25(OH)D concentrations increased significantly in the supplement group and all adolescents reached normal levels while levels in the placebo group did not change significantly. At 6 months, no differences were noted between the two groups…