The Checkup: Low Vitamin D Linked to Weight Gain in Women

• A new NIH-funded study found that older women with low vitamin D levels may gain more weight over time than peers without a deficiency. Researchers looked at 4,600 women aged 65 and older during a five-year period. Of the ones who gained weight, those with low vitamin D levels gained on average 18.5 pounds; those with normal levels gained two pounds less at 16.4. “Although it was only two pounds, over time that can add up,” said study author and Kaiser Permanente researcher Erin LeBlanc in a statement. Also interesting is the fact that 78 percent of the women in the study were found to have too-low levels of vitamin D, which promotes good bone health. Deficiencies are often caused by too little exposure to sunlight, or diets lacking in milk, fish or vitamin-D fortified foods.

• Speaking of sunlight exposure, do those shirts that claim SPF properties actually work? The Wall Street Journal has the skinny.

• The good news: Kids’ cereals are more nutritious than they used to be. The bad news: Kids are being flooded with more TV ads for less nutritious products than they used to be. The Los Angeles Times has more.