Associations of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D with Physical Performance and Bone Health in Overweight and Obese Older Adults

Low vitamin D status commonly accompanies obesity, and both vitamin D deficiency and obesity have been associated with falls and fracture risk in older adults. We aimed to determine the associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations with physical performance and bone health in community-dwelling, overweight and obese older men and women. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured in 84 participants with body mass index &ge
25 kg/m2 (mean ±
SD age 62.4 ±
7.9 years
55% women). Physical function was determined by short physical performance battery, hand grip and quadriceps strength, and stair climb power tests. Body composition and bone structure were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography, respectively. Mean ±
SD 25(OH)D was 49.6 ±
17.7 nmol/L, and 50% of participants had low 25(OH)D (<
50 nmol/L) levels. 25(OH)D concentrations were positively associated with quadricep strength and stair climb power in women (B = 0.15
95% CI 0.02&ndash
0.27 kg and B = 1.07
95% CI 0.12&ndash
2.03 W, respectively) but not in men. There were no associations between 25(OH)D and bone parameters in either sex after multivariable adjustment (all p >
0.05). Lower 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with poorer quadricep strength and muscle power in overweight and obese older women but not men.