In June 2018, researchers from Germany published the results of their study to assess the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vitamin D in 3,926 individuals with depressive symptoms and abdominal obesity. Information was obtained via the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania. Results showed that low vitamin D levels were linked to a higher risk of both depression and obesity. A further analysis revealed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor was associated with abdominal obesity but not with depression.
Goltz A et al. Association of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Vitamin D with Depression and Obesity: A Population-Based Study. Neuropsychobiol. 2018 Jun 19:1-11 [Epub ahead of print].