Factors Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency in European Adolescents: The HELENA Study

Jara VALTUEÑA; Marcela GONZÁLEZ-GROSS; Inge HUYBRECHTS; Christina BREIDENASSEL; Marika FERRARI; Theodora MOURATIDOU; Frederic GOTTRAND; Jean DALLONGEVILLE; Elena AZZINI; Isabelle SIOEN; Sonia GÓMEZ-MARTÍNEZ; Magdalena CUENCA-GARCÍA; Mathilde KERSTING; Peter STEHLE; Anthony KAFATOS; Yannis MANIOS; Kurt WIDHALM; Luis A. MORENO

doi:10.3177/jnsv.59.161

Regular Paper

Factors Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency in European Adolescents: The HELENA Study

Jara VALTUEÑA, Marcela GONZÁLEZ-GROSS, Inge HUYBRECHTS, Christina BREIDENASSEL, Marika FERRARI, Theodora MOURATIDOU, Frederic GOTTRAND, Jean DALLONGEVILLE, Elena AZZINI, Isabelle SIOEN, Sonia GÓMEZ-MARTÍNEZ, Magdalena CUENCA-GARCÍA, Mathilde KERSTING, Peter STEHLE, Anthony KAFATOS, Yannis MANIOS, Kurt WIDHALM, Luis A. MORENO

Author information

Jara VALTUEÑA
ImFine Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University
Marcela GONZÁLEZ-GROSS
ImFine Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Institut für Ernährungs- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften-Humanernährung, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn
Inge HUYBRECHTS
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University
Christina BREIDENASSEL
ImFine Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Institut für Ernährungs- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften-Humanernährung, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn
Marika FERRARI
National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition
Theodora MOURATIDOU
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Universidad de Zaragoza
Frederic GOTTRAND
Inserm U995, IFR114, University of Lille 2
Jean DALLONGEVILLE
Institut Pasteur de Lille, INSERM U744
Elena AZZINI
National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition
Isabelle SIOEN
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University
Research Foundation-Flanders
Sonia GÓMEZ-MARTÍNEZ
Immunonutrition Research Group, Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science and Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Magdalena CUENCA-GARCÍA
Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Granada University
Mathilde KERSTING
Research Institute of Child Nutrition Dortmund, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn
Peter STEHLE
Institut für Ernährungs- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften-Humanernährung, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn
Anthony KAFATOS
Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, University of Crete School of Medicine
Yannis MANIOS
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University
Kurt WIDHALM
Department of Pediatrics, Private Medical University
Luis A. MORENO
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Universidad de Zaragoza
Grupo de Investigación GENUD: Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development

Keywords: 25(OH)D concentrations, insufficiency, determinants, adolescence, Europe

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2013 Volume 59 Issue 3 Pages 161-171

DOI https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.59.161

Details

Abstract

Evidence indicates low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [(25(OH)D] concentrations in European adolescents. Identification of potential determinants is therefore essential to guide public health initiatives aiming at optimizing vitamin D status across Europe. The aim of the study was to identify potential influencing factors of 25(OH)D concentrations in European adolescents aged 12.5 to 17.5 y, participating in the multi-centre cross-sectional Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study. A subset of 1,006 participants (46.8% males) was drawn from the main study. Measures of body composition, biochemical markers, socioeconomic status, dietary intake, physical activity, fitness, sleep time and vitamin D genetic polymorphism (rs1544410) were assessed. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted stratified by gender. In males, linear regression of 25(OH)D, suggested that (1) winter season (β=−0.364; p<0.01), (2) higher latitudes (β=−0.246; p<0.01), (3) BMI z-score (β=−0.198; p<0.05) and (4) retinol concentration (β=0.171; p<0.05) independently influenced 25(OH)D concentrations. In females, (1) winter season (β=−0.370; p<0.01), (2) sleep time (β=−0.231; p<0.01), (3) supplement intake (β=0.221; p<0.05), (4) flexibility (β=0.184; p<0.05), (5) body fat % (β=0.201; p<0.05) (6), BMI z-score (β=−0.272; p<0.05), (7) higher latitudes (β=−0.219; p<0.01) and (8) handgrip strength (β=0.206; p<0.05) independently influenced 25(OH)D concentrations. Season, latitude, fitness, adiposity, sleep time and micronutrient supplementation were highly related to 25(OH)D concentrations found in European adolescents.

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