Association of Micronutrient Inadequacy and Body Mass Index in Young Adults

Author

Taylor Peabody, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Date of Graduation

5-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Innovation

Advisor/Mentor

Trudo, Sabrina

Committee Member

Becnel, Jennifer

Second Committee Member

Bailey, Mechelle

Abstract

Background

Micronutrient inadequacy has been found at higher levels in overweight and obese individuals in a broad range of ages relative to healthy weight. Insufficient micronutrient levels can have a negative impact on physical and mental health along with excess weight.

Objective

Due to health consequences related to inadequate micronutrient intake and the understanding that the general population not only fails to meet the majority of micronutrient recommendations, but is also overweight or obese, the objective of this study is to first, determine if young adults in the Northwest Arkansas Region are consuming adequate levels of micronutrients and second, if the adequacy of their micronutrient intake correlates with their BMI. Hypotheses were one, young adults are not consuming adequate levels of micronutrients and two, inadequate micronutrient intake correlates with BMI.

Design

This study uses data from a larger parent study as follows: five 24-hour dietary recalls within 30 days using the ASA24 Dietary Recall Tool and height and weight measurements for calculation of body mass index in 150 participants.

Results

Poor intake of individual nutrients was not associated with BMI or BMI category except in the case of vitamin K and vitamin C in χ² analysis. In regression analyses for each nutrient, controlling for age and sex, there was a positive relationship between BMI and intake of sodium (p = 0.04). Less than 25% of participants met the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) threshold for the following nutrients: copper, vitamin D, vitamin E, choline, and potassium. The EAR threshold for copper was not met by any participants. No EAR threshold for any individual micronutrient was met by 100% of the participants. Moreover, no single participant in this study met the EAR threshold for all of the nutrients.

Keywords

micronutrient deficiency; micronutrient insufficiency; young adult; ASA24; dietary recall; micronutrient deficiency conditions

Citation

Peabody, T. (2020). Association of Micronutrient Inadequacy and Body Mass Index in Young Adults. Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnhiuht/12