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Nutrients 2013, 5(3), 949-956; doi:10.3390/nu5030949
Vitamin D and Obesity
Received: 16 February 2013; in revised form: 12 March 2013 / Accepted: 14 March 2013 / Published: 20 March 2013
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D and Human Health)
Abstract: Obesity is a significant health problem world-wide, particularly in developed nations. Vitamin D deficiency is pandemic, and has been implicated in a wide variety of disease states. This paper seeks to examine the consistently reported relationship between obesity and low vitamin D concentrations, with reference to the possible underlying mechanisms. The possibility that vitamin D may assist in preventing or treating obesity is also examined, and recommendations for future research are made. There is a clear need for adequately-powered, prospective interventions which include baseline measurement of 25D concentrations and involve adequate doses of supplemental vitamin D. Until such studies have been reported, the role of vitamin D supplementation in obesity prevention remains uncertain.
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