Study Reveals High Rates of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Children in Qatar

Researchers assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in 364 children aged 6 to 17 years from the Middle East and North Africa, categorizing participants by asthma status and BMI. The children were divided into four groups: normal weight with asthma, overweight or obesity with asthma, overweight or obesity without asthma, and normal weight without asthma.

The results showed that vitamin D deficiency, defined as serum levels below 50 nmol/L, was common across all groups. Deficiency rates were identified at 81.1% among overweight or obese children without asthma, 73.9% among those with asthma, 68.3% for normal weight children without asthma, and 66.3% for normal weight children with asthma. Overall, vitamin D sufficiency was rare, found in just 1.1% to 6.5% of participants.

A more distinct trend was noted within the overweight or obese group, where higher BMI was significantly associated with lower vitamin D concentrations, irrespective of asthma presence. Conversely, no significant association between BMI and vitamin D levels was observed in normal weight children. Notably, the lowest vitamin D concentrations were in overweight or obese children without asthma.

Multivariable analysis that adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and atopy revealed no significant independent relationship between asthma status and vitamin D levels. There was also no evidence that asthma and obesity interacted to impact vitamin D status.

The findings suggest that excess weight may be a stronger factor influencing vitamin D levels than asthma in this demographic. However, since the study design was cross-sectional, it cannot establish causal relationships or determine if changes in BMI would affect vitamin D levels.

Limitations include a lack of data on vitamin D supplementation, sunlight exposure, seasonal differences, dietary habits, and physical activity, as well as recruitment from pediatric clinics rather than a general population. Consequently, the authors noted that the results might not be broadly applicable outside the studied cohort.

Despite these limitations, the study highlights a significant public health concern and recommends screening for vitamin D deficiency, alongside nutritional and lifestyle interventions, and supplementation when clinically appropriate, pending further longitudinal and interventional studies.

Reference: Ahmed LHM et al. Vitamin D Deficiency in Children with Asthma and Overweight/Obesity in Qatar. J Asthma Allergy. 2026;19:594510.