Vitamin D deficiency in known to be high in obese and
overweight adolescents. Few studies in other countries have shown lower
parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in obese adolescents despite high
vitamin D deficiency. The aim of the study is to assess
vitamin D and PTH levels and their relationship in
overweight and obese adolescents in Telangana. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 108
overweight and obese boys and girls aged 12-18 years. A pretested Questionnaire was administered to collect information on demographics, sun exposure, medical and nutritional history. Anthropometry and blood sample was collected for estimating 25 hydroxy
vitamin D, and PTH. Body mass index Z scores (WHO growth standards) were used for assessing
overweight and
obesity in adolescents. 54.6% of the subjects were boys. Mean (SD) levels of
vitamin D and PTH were 18.25 (9.26) ng/mL and 45.39 (28.23) ng/L respectively. The prevalence of
vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the current study was 54.6% and 25.9% respectively. However, PTH levels were high only in 24.2% of subjects (> 65 ng/L). There was an inverse but non-significant correlation between
vitamin D and PTH. The association was same after adjusting for age, gender and weight. Our study highlights the high prevalence of
vitamin D deficiency among
overweight and obese adolescents in Telangana. Despite high
vitamin D deficiency, very few had high PTH levels and the
vitamin D-PTH axis may be altered in
overweight and obese adolescents.