LC-MS/MS Analysis of Vitamins in Obese Children

A joint study conducted by researchers at Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Zhuji (Zhejiang, China) and the Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (both in Zhejiang, China) aimed to explore the relationship between blood levels of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and markers of obesity in children, with vitamin levels measured through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A paper based on this research was published in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics.¹

Why does Childhood Obesity Matter, and What Role Do Fat-Soluble Vitamins Play?

Childhood obesity has become a serious global health concern. Currently, around 38 million children under the age of five are affected worldwide. The problem extends well beyond early childhood, with approximately 340 million children and teenagers between the ages of five and eighteen also considered overweight or obese globally.²

The levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the blood are shaped by many factors, including how a child is fed, what they eat, and how efficiently their body processes nutrients. Having too little or too much of any of these vitamins can lead to serious health problems in children. Research has also shown that fat tissue plays an active role in driving inflammation in the body, meaning that obese children often exist in a state of ongoing, low-level inflammation. Understanding the underlying causes and risk factors behind childhood obesity is therefore essential for developing effective ways to prevent and manage it.^3-5

What Did the Study Find Regarding the Link Between Vitamin Levels and Obesity in Children, and How Reliable Are the Results?

The study included 208 children, split evenly between those classified as obese and a healthy comparison group. Blood levels of vitamins A, D, E, and K were measured using a highly accurate testing method. The season in which blood was collected was also recorded, and results were broken down by age group to explore links between vitamin levels and indicators of obesity such as BMI, body fat percentage, and waist size relative to height.¹

Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common in the obese group, affecting nearly two-thirds compared to less than a third in the healthy group. When broken down by age, low vitamin D was linked to obesity in both younger children aged 6–11 and adolescents aged 11–17, with the association being even stronger in the older age group.¹

The authors of the study state that their findings “highlight a substantial association between fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and pediatric obesity.”¹

The researchers point out that, while their study has helped deepen understanding of the link between low fat-soluble vitamin levels and obesity in children, there are some important limitations to keep in mind. Because the study looked at a single point in time rather than following children over a pre-determined period, it cannot confirm whether low vitamin levels cause obesity or are simply associated with it. Longer-term studies would be needed to answer that question. Blood samples were collected across different seasons, and since sunlight exposure affects vitamin D levels, this could have influenced the results, even though the research team tried to account for it. In addition, some seasonal factors, like how much time children spent outdoors or changes in their diet, could not be fully controlled. The relatively small number of participants also means the findings may not apply to all children, and larger studies would be needed to confirm them. Finally, the study only looked at four vitamins, leaving out other important nutrients such as B vitamins and minerals that might also play a role in obesity.¹

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References

1. Zhou, F.; Li, X.; Zhu, L. et al. The Relationships Between Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiency and Childhood Obesity Risk. Front Pediatr. 2026, 14, 1782635. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2026.1782635
2. Obesity and Overweight [EB/OL]. World Health Organization website, 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
3. Gasmi, A.; Noor, S.; Menzel, A. et al. Obesity and Insulin Resistance: Associations with Chronic Inflammation, Genetic and Apigenetic Factors. Curr Med Chem. 2021, 28 (4), 800–26. DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200824112056
4. Gavaldà-Navarro, A.; Villarroya, J.; Cereijo, R. et al. The Endocrine Role of Brown Adipose Tissue: An Update on Actors and Actions. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2022, 23 (1), 31–41. DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09640-6
5. Zou, Y.; Zhang, R. H.; Huang, L. C. et al. Serum Levels of Vitamin D, Retinol, Zinc, and CRP in Relation to Obesity Among Children and Adolescents. Eur J Med Res. 2022, 27 (1), 51. DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00670-7