Combined belly fat and low vitamin D double mortality risk in older adults

In a six-year follow-up of more than 5,500 adults over 50, scientists discovered that the joint presence of abdominal obesity and vitamin D deficiency led to a 123% higher risk of death compared with individuals lacking both factors. The cohort, drawn from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, measured waist circumference and serum vitamin D levels, defining obesity as a waist over 102 cm for men or 88 cm for women and deficiency as below 30 nmol/L. While each condition alone was linked to increased mortality—47% for obesity and up to 91% for low vitamin D—the combination more than doubled the risk.

The team explains that belly fat sequesters vitamin D in adipocytes and reduces enzymes needed for its activation, creating a feedback loop that worsens inflammation and disease. Lead author Tiago Silva Alexandre emphasized the importance of monitoring vitamin D status and managing abdominal weight to lower premature death among older adults. The findings were published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and funded by FAPESP in partnership with University College London.