Vitamin D may lessen adverse effects of BMI and age on lipid profile: Study

Structural equation modelling (SEM) is a method used to evaluate linear causal relationships among variables.

A study was conducted by Bahareh Nikooyeh & Tirang R. Neyestani to investigate the direct and indirect effects of serum 25(OH) D on certain cardiovascular risk factors using Structural equation modelling (SEM).

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in six provinces of Iran. Subjects (n = 922), aged 19–65 years, were selected from National Food and Nutrition Surveillance. The assessments were sun-exposure behaviour, anthropometric and biochemical measurements. A series of SEM models were tested and the model with the best-fit indices was considered for use in the structural part of the model. Based on the literature review of previous theoretical models and supporting bivariate analyses, an overall SEM examined direct or indirect associations among observed and latent variables. We put the demographic, duration of sun exposure, anthropometric and metabolic variables in our model.

The results of the study are as follows:

• The paths between serum 25(OH) D and BMI were inverse and statistically significant, whereas age showed a positive association with BMI, both direct and indirect via vitamin D.
• The results confirmed that serum 25(OH) D concentration is a predictor for the latent variable of lipid profile both through direct and indirect effects via BMI.

Thus, the researchers concluded that Serum 25(OH) D concentration is a predictor of BMI and a latent variable of lipid profile via direct and indirect effects. It can also attenuate the harmful effect of age on BMI and lipid profile, particularly in women.

Reference:

A study titled, "Contribution of vitamin D status as a determinant of cardiometabolic risk factors: a structural equation model, National Food and Nutrition Surveillance" by Bahareh Nikooyeh & Tirang R. Neyestani published in the BMC Public Health.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11839-w