Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and metabolic syndrome in Korean children and adolescents

Aims Vitamin D is required not only for bone health but also has been reported to play a role in a range of ailments such as autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, depression, and certain types of cancer. Several studies have reported that poor vitamin D status during childhood and adolescence is related to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with hypertension and increased risk of cardiovascular disease while 25(OH)D concentration is known to be independently associated with both insulin sensitivity and beta cell function. A recent study reported that low serum 25(OH)D to be associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome in Korean children. We investigated the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and the presence of metabolic syndrome components in Korean children and adolescents. We also compared the components of metabolic syndrome according to vitamin D status in Korean children and adolescents.