Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Association with Obesity Among Urban School-Aged Children in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Ghassan Zahid; NaqeebUllah Jogezai; Syed Hassan Ali Shah; Rabbia Allahrakha; Muhammad Kamran

doi:10.62497/irabcs.147

Authors

Ghassan Zahid Department of Biotechnology, The University of Azad Jammu & kashmir Muzaffarabad Author
NaqeebUllah Jogezai Director QEC University of Loralai PhD biotechnology Author
Syed Hassan Ali Shah MS Healthcare Management Author
Rabbia Allahrakha Dept : KAM-Kausar Abdullah School Of Life Sciences Uni : Forman Christian college a chartered university Author
Muhammad Kamran Department of Bio-Sciences COMSATS University Islamabad Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62497/irabcs.147

Keywords:

Vitamin D deficiency, childhood obesity, urban children, BMI, Pakistan, risk factors

Abstract

Background:
Vitamin D deficiency and childhood obesity are growing public health concerns, particularly in urban populations where reduced sun exposure and sedentary lifestyles are common.

Objective:
To find out whether there is a link between low vitamin D levels and a higher risk of obesity in school-aged children in Islamabad.

Methodology:
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Maroof International Hospital, Islamabad, in collaboration with the Department of Bio-Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, over one year (April 2023–March 2024). A total of 186 children aged 6 to 12 years, residing in urban areas, were enrolled using a convenience sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements were recorded to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were assessed using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as <20 ng/mL, and obesity was classified using WHO BMI percentiles. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with chi-square and logistic regression tests applied.

Results:
Out of the 186 kids, 112 (60.22%) didn't get enough vitamin D, and 58 (31.18%) were considered fat. There was a strong link between not getting enough vitamin D and being overweight (p = 0.004). Out of the people who didn't get enough vitamin D, 45 (40.18%) were fat. In the group that did get enough vitamin D, just 13 (17.57%) were obese. After controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic level, and physical activity, logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin D insufficiency was an independent predictor of obesity (AOR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.48–5.71; p = 0.002).

Conclusion:
Vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with increased obesity risk among urban school-aged children and may be a modifiable factor in pediatric obesity prevention strategies.

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Author Biographies

Ghassan Zahid, Department of Biotechnology, The University of Azad Jammu & kashmir Muzaffarabad

Department of Biotechnology, The University of Azad Jammu & kashmir Muzaffarabad
NaqeebUllah Jogezai , Director QEC University of Loralai PhD biotechnology

Director QEC

University of Loralai

PhD biotechnology
Syed Hassan Ali Shah, MS Healthcare Management

Dept: MS Healthcare Management

Uni name: Riphah International University
Rabbia Allahrakha, Dept : KAM-Kausar Abdullah School Of Life Sciences Uni : Forman Christian college a chartered university

Dept : KAM-Kausar Abdullah School Of Life Sciences

Uni : Forman Christian college a chartered university
Muhammad Kamran, Department of Bio-Sciences COMSATS University Islamabad

Department of Bio-Sciences

COMSATS University Islamabad

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