Associations between body mass index and the prevalence of low micronutrient levels among US adults

Background: Low micronutrient levels observed with increasing adiposity may result from inadequate nutrient intake and/or alterations in nutrient metabolism.

Objective: To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and micronutrient levels among a nationally representative sample of US adults aged ≥ 19 years.

Design: Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), we examined odds ratios of low micronutrient levels using logistic regression adjusting for covariates.

Measurements: Nutritional biomarker levels (as indicated by serum levels of total carotenoids, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, and red blood cell folate) among men and nonpregnant women, by BMI category.

Results: Overweight and obese adults had higher odds of low levels for a number of nutrients compared with normal-weight adults. Odds of being low in multiple micronutrients was most common among overweight and obese premenopausal women.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for further assessment of specific micronutrient inadequacies among persons who are overweight or obese. Specifically, research is needed to determine whether these inadequacies are due to insufficient dietary intake, altered metabolic processes, or both.