Nutrition Needs Of Morbidly Obese People

About 93 million Americans are currently obese, and within the next five years that number is expected to rise to 120 million, according to the Obesity Action Coalition. Since morbid obesity increases the risk of developing serious, long-term health conditions, health care providers generally instruct patients to lose at least 5 to 15 percent of their weight to improve overall health. Despite having too many calories in their diets, some obese people lack important vitamins and minerals.

Morbid Obesity

BMI -- body mass index -- is a figure calculated from an individual's height and weight that serves as a screening tool for increased body fat. Although BMI is not a direct measure of fat, the figure correlates well with more direct measurements. A person with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is healthy, and one with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight, according to the Weight-Control Information Network. A BMI of 30 or higher is obese, and one above 40 is morbidly obese.

Risks of Morbid Obesity

Morbidly obese individuals carry at least 100 pounds more on their frames than is healthy. As a result, their risk of developing obesity-related conditions such as diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, gallbladder disease, and certain cancers is higher than that of smaller individuals. Therefore, health care providers counsel morbidly obese patients to lose weight as a means of improving their overall health and to prevent them from developing more serious conditions in the future.

Vitamin Deficiency in Morbidly Obese Patients

Obesity occurs when the number of calories taken in is greater than the amount needed by the body. This condition may occur for a number of genetic, environmental, and behavioral reasons. However, despite an excess of calories in their diets, some morbidly obese patients are deficient in important vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc, according to Linda Aills, R.D., lead researcher in a study published in the September 2008 issue of "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases." Approximately 60 to 70 percent also have vitamin D deficiencies.

Calories

To lose weight and keep it off, consult your health care provider or a nutritionist for a healthy eating plan. Depending on your general health and activity level, you may be instructed to eat between 800 and 1,200 calories per day, or even more if you are an active male. If you need to lose weight quickly, your health care provider may put you on a medically supervised, very low calorie diet that provides less than 800 calories per day, according to the Weight-Control Information Network. Although calories are counted in these plans, you will need to consume sufficient protein, vitamins and minerals to prevent nutritional deficiencies.