Association of a dietary pattern related to serum vitamin D levels with metabolic syndrome risk among Korean adults: based on the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey

Vitamin D has a crucial role in our metabolic health. We aimed to examine associations of vitamin D status and its related dietary pattern (DP) with prevalent risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in 9,237 Korean adults aged 19–64 years based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Vitamin D status was examined by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A vitamin D-related DP associated with 25(OH)D levels was derived using reduced rank regression (RRR). Associations of vitamin D status and its related DP with MetS prevalence were examined using multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders.

Men with sufficient vitamin D status had a 44% lower risk of MetS prevalence (OR: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.36–0.87) compared to those with deficiency. A vitamin D-related DP derived using RRR was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fish, fruits, and nuts and low intakes of eggs, oils, and mushrooms in this study population. Among men, the DP was significantly associated with a lower risk of MetS prevalence, showing a 12% (95%CI: 4–20%) reduction in risk for a one-unit increase in the DP score. However, there was no significant association among women.

The study’s findings suggest that a sufficient vitamin D status and a related DP with high intakes of vegetables, fish, fruit, and nuts were associated with the risk of MetS, particularly in Korean male adults.