Research
Hormonal
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in obese populations and is associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and insulin resistance, potentially due to sequestration in adipose tissue.
If you are obese, you are likely Vitamin D deficient due to sequestration in fat tissue. Consult a doctor for testing. Weight loss can naturally improve Vitamin D levels by reducing this sequestration.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Studies have found that vitamin D deficiency, measured as low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D3) concentrations, is highly prevalent among obese adults and is associated with an increased risk of secondary hyperthyroidism and insulin resistance.
Why this rating
Based on multiple cross-sectional studies and some intervention data showing normalization after weight loss.
Source
Impact of micronutrient deficiencies on obesity
Olga P. García et al. · Nutrition Reviews · 2009
DOI 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00228.x
narrative_reviewCited 370×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Micronutrient deficiencies (specifically antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Zinc) are consistently associated with increased adiposity and obesity, potentially through mechanisms involving leptin dysregulation, insulin resistance, and altered adipogenesis.Moderate
- Zinc deficiency is associated with increased body fat and reduced lean mass in children, and may influence leptin secretion, though human intervention studies show mixed results.Limited
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