25‐Hydroxyvitamin D is related to indicators of overall physical fitness in healthy postmenopausal women

Inadequate vitamin status is inversely related to adiposity, risk of falls, and muscle weakness, particularly in the elderly. We examined the relationship of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) concentration to overall physical fitness indices (central adiposity, strength, balance) in 122 healthy postmenopausal women. Covariates included: age or time since last menstrual period (TLMP); weight; energy expenditure; dietary energy, protein, fat; and calcium intake throughout life. Overall and regional body composition (androidal fat mass=waist+hip fat) was assessed via dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Regression analyses revealed that 12.8% of variability ( p =0.0029) in androidal fat mass was accounted for by vitamin D (4.7%, p =0.013), TLMP (3.0%, p =0.046), omega‐3 fatty acid intake (3.1%, p =0.045), and calcium intake during childhood (2.2%, p =0.089); 13.0% of variability ( p =0.0009) in balance (right+left leg) was accounted for by age (6.6%, p =0.003), vitamin D (2.5%, p =0.068), and weight (2.5%, p =0.069); and 15.4% of variability ( p =0.0002) in hand grip strength (right+left) was accounted for by weight (11.0%, p =0.0002), age (3.2%, p =0.037), and vitamin D (2.7%, p =0.057). Results indicated that vitamin D was the common contributor to physical fitness indices (androidal fat mass, leg balance, grip strength) in healthy postmenopausal women. Supported by: NIAMS, NIEHS, NCCAM, ODS of NIH; USDA, ARS, WHNRC