Abstract
BackgroundMicronutrients have been implicated as an important factor in regulating various metabolic processes and thus playing a role in the aetiology of obesity. Many studies have been conducted worldwide that clearly show a direct link between obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of overweight and obese Australian adults to see if there were any associations between BMI and serum micronutrient levels.MethodsBaseline serum micronutrient data of overweight and obese individuals with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 40 kg/m2 and aged between 18 and 65 years was compared to the clinical micronutrient reference ranges for associations between BMI and micronutrient status.ResultsThere were significant negative associations between BMI and serum vitamin D (p = 0.044), folate (p = 0.025), magnesium (p = 0.010) and potassium (p = 0.023).ConclusionsOverweight and obesity appears to impact on the bioavailability and utilisation of micronutrients with absorption, excretion, storage/distribution (fat sequestering, tissue dispersion), metabolism (catabolic losses, possibly oxidative), increased physiologic requirements, and lower absolute total dietary intake being the current theory for observed differences. While vitamins D, folate, magnesium and potassium showed a negative relationship to BMI, other micronutrients did not. This may be explained by the fortification of certain processed foods, or the possibility of overweight and obese people eating more to satisfy their nutritional requirements.
Highlights
Micronutrients have been implicated as an important factor in regulating various metabolic processes and playing a role in the aetiology of obesity
The current study examined baseline blood micronutrient levels of a group of overweight and obese Australian adults with the most up-to-date serum nutrient reference ranges for Australian adults
The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of overweight and obese Australian adults prior to the commencement of a high fibre weight loss clinical trial, to determine if there were any associations between body mass index (BMI) and poor serum micronutrient levels
Summary
Micronutrients have been implicated as an important factor in regulating various metabolic processes and playing a role in the aetiology of obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of overweight and obese Australian adults to see if there were any associations between BMI and serum micronutrient levels. Excess body weight has been shown to alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and/or excretion of micronutrients [2]. Vitamin D from cutaneous and dietary sources has been shown to have decreased bioavailability in obese persons and is potentially commandeered by adipose tissue [3]; thiamine metabolism is impacted in obese persons, leading to a decrease in cellular absorption and an increase in intracellular conservation [4]. Micronutrient interactions within the food matrix can impact absorption and bioavailability by a number of mechanisms. A poor nutritional status with regard to vitamins affects mucosal integrity and can thereby affect absorption of other nutrients
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