Impact of vitamin D fortified food on quality of life and emotional difficulties among adolescents – A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: The action of vitamin D on health related quality of life (HRQoL) and emotional difficulties of individuals has been extensively studied in several epidemiological studies. However, studies focusing on the effect of vitamin D fortification on these aspects among adolescents are limited. Aim: This study aims to explore the influence of vitamin D fortification on the vitamin D status and the HRQoL and emotional difficulties among adolescents. Methods: A total of 71 healthy adolescents consented to be a part of the randomized controlled trial conducted in two schools in Chennai, India. They were allocated and blinded into two groups: experimental (one vitamin D fortified ladduu (a homemade eatable with natural supplements) daily, containing 1000 IU vitamin D3) or the control group (one unfortified ladduu daily) for 12 weeks following random assignment. The vitamin D status, HRQoL and emotional difficulty parameters of anxiety and stress of the participants were evaluated both at baseline and at 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12. Results: Vitamin D status of the adolescents significantly improved post supplementation (Z=-6.28; P =0.00). However, despite of significant improvement, no significant changes were observed in the other parameters. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that although vitamin D fortification helps in improving the vitamin D status of adolescents, it does not particularly benefit their HRQoL and emotional difficulties of anxiety and stress of adolescents.