Vitamin D status and health outcomes in school children in Northern Ireland: Year one results from the D-VinCHI study
Date
2022-02-14Author
Glatt, Dominique
McSorley, Emeir
Pourshahidi, L. Kirsty
Revuelta-Iniesta, Raquel
McCluskey, Jane
Beggan, Laura
Slevin, Mary
Gleeson, Nigel
Cobice, Diego F.
Dobbin, Sara
Magee, Pamela J.
Metadata
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Glatt, D.U., McSorley, E., Pourshahidi, L.K., Revuelta-Iniesta, R., McCluskey, J., Beggan, L., Slevin, M., Gleeson, N., Cobice, D.F., Dobbin, S. and Magee, P.J. (2021) ‘Vitamin D status and health outcomes in school children in Northern Ireland: Year one results from the D-VinCHI study’, Nutrients, 14(4), article no. 804.
Abstract
(1) Background: Vitamin D status has never been investigated in children in Northern Ireland (UK). (2) Methods: Children (4−11 years) (n = 47) were recruited from November 2019 to March 2020 onto the cross-sectional study. Anthropometry was assessed. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was analysed. Vitamin D intake, parental knowledge and perceptions, participant habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour were established via questionnaire. Muscle strength was assessed via isometric grip strength dynamometry and balance via dominant single-leg and tandem stance. Parathyroid hormone, bone turnover markers (OC, CTX and P1NP), glycated haemoglobin and inflammatory markers (CRP, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) were analysed. (3) Results: Mean (SD) 25(OH)D was 49.17 (17.04) nmol/L (n = 47); 44.7% of the children were vitamin D sufficient (25(OH)D >50 nmol/L), 48.9% were insufficient (25−50 nmol/L) and 6.4% were deficient (25 nmol/L). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.012, r = 0.374), spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.006, r = 0.402) and dominant grip strength (kg) (p = 0.044, r = 0.317). Vitamin D sufficient participants had higher dietary vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.021), supplement intake (µg/day) (p = 0.028) and spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.015). (4) Conclusion: Over half of the children were vitamin D deficient or insufficient. Wintertime supplementation, the consumption of vitamin D rich foods and spring/summer outdoor activities should be encouraged to minimise the risk of vitamin D inadequacy.