Body mass index represents a good predictor of vitamin D status in women independently from age.

Background & Aims: Vitamin D is a pleiotropic hormone targeting several tissues and is involved in basic homeostatic processes, including bone mineralization, immune response and muscle strength. Although hypovitaminosis D is common in Europe and North America, representing a risk factor for several chronic diseases, the contribution of factors other than sun exposure is largely underestimated.

Methods: In our study, we retrospectively collected data from medical records of women with age between 19 and 80 screened in Central Italy (42°N) for increased risk of metabolic syndrome.