MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN THE OBESE POPULATION

FOCUS ON VITAMIN D, IRON, AND ZINC

Introduction

Obesity is a prevalent condition that 34.9% of the adult American population suffers
from with increasing rates each year.1 With an increase in obesity, more research is
being conducted on how to prevent obesity. The main focus of health professionals in
aiding obese individuals is advising an active, healthy lifestyle. However, there are
underlying variables that need to be taken into consideration when counseling and
educating the obese population and that is the lack of micronutrients in their diet. Even
though obese people consume more calories compared to lean individuals, they still
may not meet the nutrient recommendations due to consumption of empty calories low
in vitamins and minerals. Increase focus should be geared towards vitamin D, iron,
and zinc because they have been identified as the most prevalent micronutrient
deficiencies among the obese population. Without proper treatment, these specific
and general micronutrient deficiencies can lead to future health complications.

Caroline Dill
Lilia Villegas

The Importance of Micronutrient Intake

Summary

Micronutrients play major roles in the body. Each has different tasks in the body, but
some also have similar roles and work together to carry out a task. This means that
when one particular micronutrient is not present enough, it may decease the
performance of another micronutrient. Some processes micronutrients are involved in
are carbohydrate and fat metabolism, calcium and bone metabolism, oxidation
reduction, and immune function.8 However, when the body is not receiving the
micronutrients required for these processes to occur, it can lead to organ dysfunction,
muscle weakness, poor wound healing, and altered immune system.8
Vitamin D: osteomalacia and osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, cardiomyopathy8
Zinc: skin rashes, glucose intolerance, abnormal hemostasis, altered smell and
taste perceptions8,9
Iron: anemia8,9

Micronutrient deficiency is a serious problem that should be addressed and be

the focus of nutrition education. Since obese individuals are more likely to be
micronutrient deficient compared to lean individuals, it is crucial that health
professionals pay special attention to this population in order to address
micronutrient deficiency problems and prevent health complications.
Micronutrients play various vital roles in the body
Micronutrient deficiency associated with increased fat adherence, weight gain,
and bodily dysfunctions
Awareness of micronutrient insufficiency by health professionals will lead to
improve counseling for obese clients
Awareness will also lead to early treatment and prevention

Qualtrics Findings
The focus of this study was to determine the prevalence of multivitamin intake and
single nutrient supplement intake as well as the reasons behind intake of
supplements. There were a total of 51 participants of varying ages and backgrounds.
41% of participants take multivitamins; 24% take single nutrient supplements
33% of participants take vitamin C, while 25% take vitamin D and vitamin B, and
17% take iron single nutrient supplements-can be inferred that participants are
either deficient in these micronutrients or worry that they may be
51% listed health concerns as the primary reason for taking a multivitamin while
14% listed the multivitamins being recommended by a health professional
Participants demonstrated a lack of knowledge of nutrient content of specific foods
Table 1. Comparison of food sources listed as most abundant in vitamin D, iron,
and zinc.

71%
63%

61%

25%
0%
APPLES

4%
MEAT/POULTRY

EGGS

14%

6%
BEANS

MILK

POTATOES

Iron

SALMON

Vitamin D

Zinc

18%

22%

18%

0%
ASPARAGUS

BEEF

KALE

ORANGES

ONIONS

Lack of Micronutrient Intake

Micronutrient insufficiency increase fat adherence and other
health complications
Awareness Needed
Increase awareness proper and effective treatment, prevention and
education for clients

Research Findings
Several studies have analyzed why micronutrient deficiencies are more common
among the obese compared to lean individuals. Studies have also determined the
most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies among the obese population.
Micronutrient deficiency caused by decreased bioavailability due to increased
adipose tissue and obesity-related inflammation2
One study found that 67.7%, 32.0%, 26.3% of obese subjects were deficient in
vitamin D, zinc, and iron, respectively compared to lean individuals while a second
study found that 89.7% were deficient in vitamin D and 24.6%.were deficient in
zinc.3,4
Formula meal replacements do not meet the obese individuals demands5
A diet low in calories and based on whole foods is generally insufficient to reach
nutrient adequacy for obese individuals6
Multivitamins may reduce body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, fat
mass, respiratory quotient, and increased REE in obese individuals; more
effective than supplementation of single nutrients.7

Clinical Applications
Once knowledge is obtained and awareness is established, health professionals
will be able to better counsel clients. They will be able to develop materials
concerning micronutrient deficiencies and develop materials specifically targeted
for the obese population.

A policy needs to be passed to create RDIs specifically tailored to the obese

population.

Ongoing education should be provided on nutrient content of foods

Qualtrics study found that even though people have received nutrition
education, information is not retained

Educate clients on appropriate food choices

Popular diets need to be readjusted to meet micronutrient sufficiency

Educate clients on multivitamins and advise intake of multivitamins as

necessary