Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms as a risk factor for obesity in Saudi men

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity and vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia has increased recently. Decreased physical activity might play a role in obesity. Previous studies showed an association between low vitamin D level and its receptor polymorphism with obesity development. OBJECTIVE: To determine association of low vitamin D level and its receptor polymorphism with obesity in Saudi men. METHODS: ). The references of the original literature and the related articles were also searched, for potential complementary studies. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using Spearman's rho and ANOVA tests. RESULTS: There was significant negative association between 25-(OH) vitamin D level and obesity (p<0.01). Genotyping study showed that both bb of BsmI and tt of TaqI genotypes were higher in the obese group compared with lean group (p<0.05). Moreover, bb genotype has higher BMI and HOMA-IR than both BB and Bb; and tt genotype also has higher BMI and HOMA-IR than TT and Tt genotypes (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Low vitamin D level and VDR BsmI and Taq1 genotypes may be a risk factor of obesity.