Nutrition and Body Composition in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Many adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been found to have low bone density by the end of treatment. This can lead to long-term suffering in survivors due to poor bone health. Vitamin D is known to be associated with bone health and previous research has established that Vitamin D insufficiency is very common at diagnosis of ALL and worsens over the course of treatment. Researchers have also learned that a relationship exists between both Vitamin D and fat tissue and ALL and fat tissue. In adolescents being treated for ALL as well as in early survivors, this randomized study will therefore examine the effect of Vitamin D and calcium supplementation on correcting Vitamin D insufficiency and on improving bone density in the context of changes in body composition and body fat. Bone density will be measured by a radiology exam called qCT (quantitative computed tomography) while body composition and body fat will be measured by a different radiology exam called a DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan) . The study will also examine in depth the relationship between these three elements - Vitamin D insufficiency, obesity, and ALL - and their impact on bone density.