Geriatric Bariatrics and the Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D in a Non-Large Urban Population: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

We previously described a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in an elderly, large urban obese population. Blood levels of vitamin D in other elderly, obese populations are not well defined. The hypothesis of this study is that elderly individuals develop lower vitamin D levels in a non-large urban, obese population. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in an obese population ≤64 years-old to an obese population ≥65 years-old. Obese individuals (n = 400) were seen in gastrointestinal clinic where determination of vitamin D was suggested. Study exclusions included an absent blood level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D or use of vitamin D supplementation at the time of their clinic visit. There are 170 eligible individuals: 97 are ≤64 years-old (mean 49.9 years) while 73 are ≥65 years old (mean 72.8 years). Mean body mass index (SD) of individuals ≤ age 64 years is 35.3 (3.7) kg/m² and mean body mass index (SD) of individuals ≥ age 65 years is 34.7 (3.6) kg/m² (p > 0.05). The overall prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is 64.1%. Chi-square analysis rejected the hypothesis that hypovitaminosis D is dependent upon age (p = 0.12). While there is a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in this study population, this study did not identify elderly patients developing a higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in this non-large urban obese population, perhaps due to dietary and/or environmental factors.