Vitamin DNEW2026-08

VDR BsmI polymorphism and obesity in vitamin D deficiency among undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study.

Rubio Débora Alejandra Vasquez, Albuquerque Isabelle Castagnara, Berro Pivetta Lyana Feijoó, Dos Santos Lauren Alicia Flores Viera et al. — Molecular biology reports

Summary

This study explored factors contributing to low vitamin D levels in college students. Researchers found that students who were obese and those with a particular variation in the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR BsmI) were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. This suggests both body weight and genetics can play a role in maintaining adequate vitamin D.

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Key points

Obesity was linked to a higher chance of vitamin D deficiency in college students.
A specific variation in the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR BsmI) was also associated with lower vitamin D levels.
These findings suggest that both body weight and genetic factors can influence vitamin D status.
The study highlights the importance of understanding these factors for promoting better vitamin D health in young adults.

What the study looked at

What question the study asked: The study investigated whether body weight status, particularly obesity, and a specific genetic variation in the vitamin D receptor (VDR BsmI polymorphism) were linked to vitamin D deficiency in undergraduate students. How it was studied (design/participants): This was a cross-sectional study conducted in April-May 2023, involving 189 undergraduate students. Researchers measured their vitamin D levels, body weight, waist and hip circumference, body fat percentage, and analyzed their VDR BsmI gene variations. Participants who had taken vitamin D supplements recently were excluded. What it found: The study found that about 35% of the students had vitamin D deficiency. Students with vitamin D deficiency generally had higher body weight and body fat. Importantly, the researchers identified that both obesity and a specific recessive genetic pattern of the VDR BsmI polymorphism were independently associated with a significantly higher likelihood of vitamin D deficiency. This suggests that both body composition and individual genetic makeup can influence a person's vitamin D status.

Dietary takeaway

While this study doesn't directly address diet, maintaining a healthy body weight through balanced eating and regular physical activity may indirectly support better vitamin D levels. Incorporating vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, fortified dairy, and certain mushrooms into your diet remains important. Remember, this is one study, and more research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay of genetics, weight, and vitamin D.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate students constitute a relevant population for investigating genetic and body weight-related factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. This study aimed to assess the associations of the VDR BsmI single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and body weight status, including obesity, with vitamin D deficiency in undergraduate students. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included biochemical and genetic assessment conducted between April and May 2023. A total of 189 students were evaluated after excluding individuals who had received vitamin D supplementation within the six months preceding data collection. SNP genotyping was performed by qPCR using TaqMan probes, vitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay, and body weight classification was determined according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 34.9% of the participants. Individuals with vitamin D deficiency had significantly higher body weight, waist and hip circumference, and body fat percentage than those with sufficient vitamin D levels. The distributions of the BsmI genotypes and alleles differed significantly between the vitamin D groups. Multivariate logistic regression showed that obesity (OR = 4.260; 95% CI: 1.656-10.959) and the recessive genetic model (OR = 4.361; 95% CI: 1.200-15.846) were independently associated with vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and the VDR BsmI recessive genetic model were independently associated with higher odds of vitamin D deficiency in undergraduate students. These findings highlight the concurrent relevance of genetic and body weight-related factors to vitamin D status and support further research to inform preventive strategies in this population.

View on PubMed →DOI: 10.1007/s11033-026-12633-w