Can vitamin d deficiency cause weight gain
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Weight Gain?
Introduction to Vitamin D Deficiency and Weight Gain
Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread health issue that has been linked to various health conditions, including obesity. However, the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and weight gain remains a topic of debate among researchers. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to explore whether vitamin D deficiency can cause weight gain.
Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Obesity
Several studies have investigated the association between vitamin D deficiency and obesity. A systematic review of prospective cohort studies found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity in both adults and the elderly. Specifically, two out of five studies on adults and two out of three studies on the elderly showed a positive association between vitamin D deficiency and greater adiposity1. Another meta-analysis reported that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in obese individuals compared to those with normal weight4.
Contradictory Findings on Weight Gain
Despite the associations found in some studies, other research has shown no direct link between vitamin D deficiency and weight gain. A prospective, population-based study conducted in Lausanne, Switzerland, found no significant association between vitamin D levels and weight or waist circumference changes over 5 and 10 years2. Similarly, a study on old rats indicated that while vitamin D deficiency led to increased adiposity, it did not result in overall weight gain3.
Vitamin D Supplementation and Weight Management
The potential of vitamin D supplementation to influence weight gain has also been explored. A study on children with severe acute malnutrition found that high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation did not significantly affect weight gain but did improve weight-for-height scores and developmental outcomes6. In contrast, another study on female mice showed that long-term vitamin D deficiency resulted in lower body weight and reduced adipose tissue mass, suggesting that vitamin D plays a role in maintaining body weight and adiposity5.
Mechanisms Linking Vitamin D and Obesity
The mechanisms through which vitamin D deficiency might influence obesity are not fully understood. Some researchers suggest that vitamin D receptors in adipose tissue could play a role in fat storage and metabolism9. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased inflammation and metabolic disorders, which could indirectly contribute to weight gain10.
Conclusion
The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and weight gain is complex and not yet fully understood. While some studies suggest a positive association between vitamin D deficiency and obesity, others find no direct link. More research, particularly well-designed prospective studies, is needed to clarify the role of vitamin D in weight management. For now, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels through diet, supplementation, and sunlight exposure remains a prudent approach for overall health.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Does vitamin D deficiency increase the risk of obesity in adults and the elderly? A systematic review of prospective cohort studies.
Vitamin D deficiency is generally associated with an increased risk of obesity in adults and the elderly.
Systematic ReviewNo Association between Vitamin D and Weight Gain: A Prospective, Population-Based Study
No association was found between vitamin D status and weight or waist gain at 5- and 10-year follow-up.
Observational Study
Very Rigorous JournalVitamin D supplementation restores the blunted muscle protein synthesis response in deficient old rats through an impact on ectopic fat deposition.
Vitamin D deficiency in old rats increases adiposity and reduces muscle protein synthesis, but these disorders can be restored by vitamin D supplementation.
RCT
Animal StudyObesity and vitamin D deficiency: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, regardless of age, latitude, or Human Development Index.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedLong‐Term Vitamin D Deficiency Decreases Bodyweight and Adipose Tissue Mass in Female Mice
Long-term vitamin D deficiency in female mice leads to decreased bodyweight and adipose tissue mass, but this weight loss is not solely due to fat loss.
RCTHigh-dose vitamin D3 in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition: a multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial.
High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation improves weight-for-height and developmental indexes in children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition in Pakistan.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalAssociation between vitamin D deficiency and weight gain in children: Across-sectional study.
Vitamin D deficiency is inversely associated with weight gain in children, suggesting a need for vitamin D supplementation to prevent obesity.
Observational StudyVitamin D and Obesity
Low vitamin D levels are linked to obesity, but the role of vitamin D supplementation in obesity prevention remains uncertain until well-powered, prospective studies are conducted.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedVitamin D Deficiency: Consequence or Cause of Obesity?
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in obese individuals and may contribute to obesity, but more studies are needed to determine its role in obesity development and its impact on other organs.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedVitamin d deficiency attenuates high-fat diet-induced hyperinsulinemia and hepatic lipid accumulation in male mice.
Vitamin D deficiency alleviates high-fat diet-induced overweight, hyperinsulinemia, and hepatic lipid accumulation in male mice by promoting fatty acid -oxidation and increasing energy expenditure in adipose tissue.
RCTAnimal StudyRigorous Journal