The Relationship between Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalence and Obesity in a Sample from Zawia City, Libya

In this study, vitamin D levels were measured, and the degree of vitamin D deficiency was assessed in relation to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). A total of 150 individuals, comprising 75 men and 75 women, participated in the study by visiting various medical labs in Zawia City. The levels of vitamin D were determined as follows: Deficient levels of vitamin D: 25(OH)≥ 20 ng/ml; insufficient levels: 21–29 ng/ml; and sufficient levels: 25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/ml. The findings showed that there was no discernible difference in vitamin D concentrations between age groups or between males and females (P>0.05). However, the deficiency rate was higher in the elderly age group (39.5%) than in the younger and middle-age groups, in the females (29.4%) compared to the males (26.6%). In contrast, a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was found in serum vitamin D concentration according to body mass index (BMI), with significantly lower concentrations in obese individuals (22.10±1.25 ng/ml) compared to those with normal weight (28.67±1.21 ng/ml). The study concluded that vitamin D levels were lower in the sample, with this decline increasing in females and the elderly. A significant and noticeable decrease in vitamin D levels was also found according to body mass index, with this decline increasing in obese individuals compared to those with normal weight