J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2026 May;52(5):e70325. doi: 10.1111/jog.70325.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the link between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and obesity in postmenopausal women, and to evaluate the potential mediating effect of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP).
METHODS: In this cross-sectional analysis, data from 3386 postmenopausal women were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018). Participants were stratified by vitamin D status: deficient (< 50 nmol/L), insufficient (50-75 nmol/L), and sufficient (≥ 75 nmol/L). Adjusted weighted regression models assessed associations with body mass index (BMI) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), while mediation analysis quantified the role of AIP.
RESULTS: After comprehensive covariate adjustment, a significant inverse relationship was observed between serum 25(OH)D and BMI (β = -2.36, 95% CI: -3.16, -1.55). Vitamin D deficient women exhibited a mean BMI increase of 1.98 units (95% CI: 0.96, 3.00) and an elevated odds of obesity (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.30, 2.50) relative to the sufficient group. These findings were robust across demographic and clinical subgroups. Mediation analysis indicated AIP accounted for 9.53% of the association with BMI and 9.40% with obesity (both p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a significant inverse association between vitamin D status and obesity in postmenopausal women, with lipid metabolism, as reflected by AIP, partially mediating this relationship. Further longitudinal research is required to establish causality.
PMID:42091424 | DOI:10.1111/jog.70325