Journal of Food and Nutritional DisordersISSN: 2324-9323

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Research Article, J Food Nutr Disor Vol: 5 Issue: 2

Vitamin D and Associations with Walking Ability in Community- Dwelling Elderly Adults

Geirsdottir OG1,2*, Ramel A2, Chang M1, Briem K4, Jonsson PV1,3 and Thorsdottir I2
1The Icelandic Gerontological Research Center, Reykjavik, Iceland
2Unit for Nutrition Research, National University Hospital of Iceland & Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
3Department of Geriatrics, National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
4Department of Physiotherapy, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
Corresponding author : Olof Gudny Geirsdottir
Unit for Nutrition Research, National University Hospital of Iceland, Eiriksgata 29, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Tel: +354 543 9898
Fax: +354 543 4824
E-mail: ogg@hi.is
Received: February 02, 2016 Accepted: April 06, 2016 Published: April 11, 2016
Citation: Geirsdottir OG, Ramel A, Chang M, Briem K, Jonsson PV, et al. (2016) Vitamin D and Associations with Walking Ability in Community-Dwelling Elderly Adults. J Food Nutr Disor 5:2. doi:10.4172/2324-9323.1000192

Abstract

Vitamin D and Associations with Walking Ability in Community- Dwelling Elderly Adults

Epidemiological studies have suggested a positive association between vitamin D status and physical function. In order to improve our understanding of vitamin D and physical function, the present analysis investigated the associations between vitamin D status and walking ability in community-dwelling elderly adults, with particular consideration of body fatness and physical activity. This was a secondary, cross-sectional analysis, using baseline data from a randomized, controlled trial. The subjects were elderly adults living in a community (N=236, 73.7 ± 5.7 years, 58.2% female). BMI, body composition and serum 25-OH vitamin D were measured. Walking ability was assessed by the distance covered in a six-minute walk (6MWD). The dietary intake of vitamin D was estimated with a 3-day weighed food record, and physical activity was self-reported. The average serum 25-OH vitamin D levels mean was 67 ± 28 nmol/l. Serum 25-OH vitamin D correlated with self-reported physical activity in minutes per week (r=0.222, P=0.001). It also correlated with physical function in the 6MWD (r=0.264, P=0.037). Dietary vitamin D correlated with serum OH-25 vitamin D (r=0.297, P <0.001). Serum 25-OH vitamin D correlated negatively with BMI and fat mass (r= -0.165, P= 0.012 and r=-0.145, P=0.030). In this cross-sectional analysis we found associations between walking ability and vitamin D status in community-dwelling elder adults. However, these associations were not independent and were mostly explained by the confounding factors of BMI and self-reported physical activity.

Keywords: Vitamin D; 6 minute walk for distance; Elderly adult; BMI; Physical activity

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