The link between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, inflammation and glucose/insulin homoeostasis is mediated by adiposity factors in American adults.

We used an established mediation analysis to investigate the role of adiposity in the relation between serum 25(OH)D with markers of inflammation and glucose and insulin metabolism. We used data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2010), to evaluate the associations between serum 25(OH)D and markers of insulin resistance (IR) or inflammation, and whether these associations are mediated by adiposity factors. Analysis of co-variance and conceptual causal mediation analysis were conducted taking into consideration the survey design and sample weights. BMI was found to have significant mediation effects (to varied extent) on the associations between serum 25(OH)D and CRP, apo-B, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and HbA1c (all