August 2018 Vol. 6 No.8

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Original Research Article

The difference in antioxidant vitamins consumption between obese and non-obese individuals

J. Zalaket^*, L. Hanna-Wakim and J. Matta

Department of nutrition, Faculty of agriculture and food sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: email: joycezalaket@hotmail.com
Tel.: +96171437057

Accepted August 13, 2018

Abstract

Obesity has been associated with a markedly increased oxidative stress: it is characterized by higher levels of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species. Antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, C and E), among other components, play a big role in the protection against oxidative stress. Literature shows that obese have lower rates of antioxidant defenses than non-obese. In this study, we aimed to measure the dietary antioxidant vitamin intakes and compare them between obese and non-obese. A validated thirty-four items semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire SQFFQ was used on 500 Lebanese (330 non-obese and 170 obese) aged 18–62 years old, it covers the major sources of dietary antioxidant vitamins in Lebanon. The participants were recruited from the database of dietary clinics in rural and urban regions. Anthropometric parameters were measured according to standardized protocols. Total energy intake, gender and age were adjusted for 250 participants (166 non-obese and 84 obese). The means of daily consumption of vitamin A, C and E were lower for obese individuals compared to non-obese counterparts. The differences between the daily consumption of antioxidant vitamins for non-obese vs. obese individuals were highly significant (Student's' t-Test, p = 0 <0.01). Nevertheless, according to Pearson correlation, there is no significant correlation between the BMI and the daily vitamin consumption for vitamin A, C and E for non-obese and obese participants. Furthermore, this results were highly significant after caloric adjustment for 250 participants. There is no significant correlation between the age and the daily consumption of antioxidant vitamins for the two groups obese and non-obese; additionally, there is no difference in gender in these two groups regarding the results. Accordingly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, is associated with reduced oxidative stress. Unfortunately, this protection is less effective in obese with decreased consumption of dietary antioxidants.

Keywords: Obesity, Antioxidant, Vitamins, SQFFQ, Nutrition Assessment