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Objective: To determine associations between Vitamin D (VD) levels and clinical depression through the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and its questions and subdomains, stratified by demographics and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (HLE)., Design, Setting, and Participants: A cohort of 299 Project FRONTIER participants aged 62.6 ± 11.7 years old, 70.9% female, and 40.5% HLE were used. Standard correlation and regression analyses were employed., Measurements: The main outcome measures were VD (serum 25(OH)-VD) level, GDS-30 (30-item questionnaire), GDS-30 subfactors and questions, and HLE status. VD categories were defined as VD deficiency (VDD; ≤20 ng/mL), VD insufficiency (VDI; 21-29 ng/mL), VD sufficiency (30-38 ng/mL) and high VD sufficiency (>38 ng/mL)., Results: The majority (61.5%) of samples fell into VDD/VDI categories. A significant negative association was found between VD level and GDS-30 total score. VD level was negatively correlated with Dysphoria and Meaninglessness GDS-30 subfactors. Although GDS subfactors were similar between HLE and non-HLE groups, VD levels were significantly lower in HLE samples. Finally, HLE/non-HLE groups were differentially stratified across VD categories. Only 4% of HLEs fell into the high VD sufficient category, suggesting low VD supplementation., Conclusion: A significant negative association between VD level and depressive symptoms was revealed in our aging Project FRONTIER participants. HLE individuals were overrepresented in VDD/VDI samples, and VDD/VDI was associated primarily with the Dysphoria GDS subdomain. Regression analysis predicted high VD sufficiency (95.5 ng/mL) to be associated with no depressive symptoms (GDS=0). Our results underscore troubling disparities in VD-related depressive symptoms between HLE and non-HLE populations., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors report no conflicts with any product mentioned or concept discussed in this article. The study was supported by the TTUHSC Medical Student Summer Research Program (MP)., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this review article is to understand the current literature on obesity, diabetes and therapeutic avenues across the world. Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle condition that affects millions of people worldwide and it is a major health concern in our society. Diabetes and obesity are associated with various conditions, including non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors. Early detectable markers are not well established to detect pre-diabetes and as a result, it becomes diabetes. Several published epidemiological studies were assessed and the findings were summarized. Resources from published studies were used to identify criteria used for pre-diabetes, the role of diet in pre-diabetics and potential risks and characteristics associated with pre-diabetes. Preventive strategies are needed to combat diabetes. Individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes need detailed education, need to fully understand the risk factors and have the ability to manage diabetes. Interventions exist that include chronic disease self-management programs, lifestyle interventions and pharmacological strategies. Obesity plays a large role in causing pre-diabetes and diabetes. Critical analysis of existing epidemiological research data suggests that additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of interventions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Quality in Diabetes/Obesity and Critical Illness Spectrum of Diseases - edited by P. Hemachandra Reddy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)