Nutritional Intervention- The Impact on Vitamins and Minerals Intake to Overweight and Obese Patients

Abstract

Background and Aims- To evaluate the impact of nutritional intervention on vitamins and minerals from intake food and anthropometric parameters at overweight and obese patients. Material and methods- To a sample of 40 overweight and obese patients we evaluated the nutritional content of food intake (kilocalories, macro and micronutrients) before and after a low caloric diet. We also measured anthropometric parameters like weight, body mass index, body fat, percent of body fat, abdominal circumference and arterial tension. Results- After the nutritional intervention, overweight and obese patients had significantly lower level of intake carbohydrates (P=.018), lipids (P=.002), B1 vitamin (P<.001), B3 vitamin (P=.02) and E vitamin (P=.016). There is a significantly increased level of proteins (P<.001). Regarding the minerals, we found that the intake levels of following‘s decreased: sodium (P<.001), magnesium (P=.006), zinc (P=.035), copper (P=.002), manganese (P<.001). Phosphorus is the only mineral of which the intake level increased significantly (P<.001). All the anthropometric parameters decreased significantly: weight (P<.001), body mass index (P<.001), body fat (P<.001), percent of body fat (P<.001), abdominal circumference (P<0.001), systolic arterial tension (P<.001), diastolic arterial tension (P=.002). Conclusions- All our overweight and obese patients had imbalanced intake of vitamins and minerals both before and after intervention. There is a significant improved on anthropometric measures after nutritional intervention. We need to pay more attention to food quality and quantity during low caloric diet, thus to assure the recommended daily intake for vitamins and minerals.