Is dietary vitamin B intake associated with weight disorders in children and adolescents? The weight disorders survey of the CASPIAN-IV Study

Abstract

Background: Weight disorders are highly prevalent at the global level. Vitamin B groups are clearly involved in intracellular mechanisms, energy equation, and weight gain. The present study aims to evaluate the association of dietary vitamin B intake and obesity in a large pediatric population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among children and adolescents, aged 6-18 years, living in urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran. The BMI-for-age classifications were as follow: percentile <0.1, (emaciated), 0.1 <= percentile <2.35 (thin), 2.35 <= percentile <= 84.1 (normal), 84.1 <percentile <= 97.7 (overweight), 97.1 <percentile percentile (obese). A valid 168-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess the usual dietary intake including vitamin B. Results: Out of 5606 children and adolescents participated (mean age: 11.62, SD: 3.32), 46.8 were girls. The intake of thiamin, pyridoxine, niacin and pantothenic acid increased the likelihood of obesity, compared with the normal-weight group. Odds ratios (ORs) (95 CI) of obesity for vitamin B-1, B-3, B-5, and B-6 were 1.32 (1.14-1.53), 1.01 (1.00-1.02), 1.04 (1.00-1.08), and 1.20 (1.04-1.38), respectively. Riboflavin, cyanocobalamin, biotin and folic acid did not have any significant association with weight disorders (B-2: OR =1.09, 95 CI =0.99-1.20); B-12: OR =1.00, 95 CI =0.98-1.03; B-8: OR=1.00, 95 CI = 0.99-1.00 B-9: OR=1.00, 95 CI = 1.00-1.00). Conclusion: The current study showed a significant correlation between consumption of vitamin B group and increased risk of excess weight.