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Background: Although there is some evidence that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in the Middle East, however its health impact is still not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, causes and health implications of vitamin D deficiency in local United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizens. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on community free living adults living in the city of Al Ain, UAE. Following informed written consent eligible subject's blood and urine samples were taken for measurements of vitamin D [25(OH)D], metabolic and bone turnover markers. Clinical assessment that includes general and self-rated health, muscle health, and physical activity were also performed. Results: A total of 648 subjects (491 female) were included in this analysis. Their mean (SD) age was 38 (12) years. Mean 25(OH)D was 24 ng/ml (range: 4–67) with 286 (44%) subjects found to have vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml), 234 (36%) subjects have insufficiency (20-32 ng/ml) and 128 (20%) subjects have optimal concentrations (> 32 ng/ml). 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly higher in local indigenous UAE subjects compared to other Arab expatriates (p = 0.071). Although there were no statistically significant differences in clinical markers between groups, however, utra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), body mass index (BMI) and the bone markers U-PYD and PYD/CR were higher in vitamin D deficient older subjects aged ≥50 years and female subjects younger than 50 years respectively compared to those with insufficiency or optimal concentrations (p value < 0.05. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant and independent association between 25(OH)D status and age and sex (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Older subjects with vitamin D deficiency have increased BMI, inflammation and PTH compared with those with insufficiency or optimal concentrations. Co-existence of obesity and vitamin D deficiency may have increased adverse health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visceral obesity and related diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Adiponectin is a hormone that is secreted by adipose tissue and may play an important role in obesity-related morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate total adiponectin levels in overweight and obese UAE subjects visiting health care facilities for weight management. Methods: All overweight and obese subjects visiting community health centers were invited to take part in the study. Two hundred and six participants received individualized structured dietary education for weight management. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements and fasting venous blood samples were taken for measurements of total adiponectin and markers of inflammation and nutritional status at baseline and follow up. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent effects of prognostic factors on serum adiponectin levels. Results: A total of 193 (93%) females with a mean age (±SD) 36 ± 11 years were included in the analysis. During a follow up period of 427 ± 223 days, participants received 13 ± 5 structured dietary education sessions. We observed decreased levels of total adiponectin with increasing quartiles of both waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). Male gender and history of both gestational and type 2 diabetes were associated with significantly lower total adiponectin levels (p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, BMI and hip circumference, multiple regression analysis revealed a significant and independent association between waist circumference and total adiponectin levels. At follow up visceral fat loss was associated with a significant decrease in inflammatory markers and a non-significant increase in total adiponectin levels. Conclusion: Increased visceral fat in overweight and obese subjects is associated with decreased total adiponectin levels. The health benefits of increasing adiponectin levels using different dietary intervention strategies need to be explored in larger studies. Trial registration: NCT01691365, registered on 11/09/2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]