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 |
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| 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.
