EVALUATION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF A GROUP OF MORBID OBESE INDIVIDUALS IN ISTANBUL

Aim: The study was planned to evaluate the anthropometric measurements and nutritional status of morbid obese individuals. Materials and Methods: 259 females and 31 males, a total of 290 morbid obese individuals who admitted to Community Health Centers of ？stanbul Provincial Health Directorate were included in the study. Demographic, anthropometric and nutritional data were taken and 24-hour food consumption was recorded. Daily values of nutrient intake were analyzed by Computerized Nutrient Analysis Program (BEBIS) program. Results: Mean age of the group was 47.9 ± 11.5 years. Mean BMI of males and females were 44.8 ± 4.9, 43.7 ± 5.4 kg/m2, respectively. The majority of individuals (82.4%) were detected to have various diseases and nearly half (53.8%) had at least 2 diseases. Mean daily energy intake of individuals was found to be 1907 kkal. 43.9% of the total energy was obtained from carbohydrate and 40.8% was obtained from fat. It was determined that calcium and iron intake were sufficient, sodium intake was excessive and potassium intake was insufficient. Conclusion: More than half of the morbid obese individuals had at least 2 diseases. Daily cholesterol and sodium intake was higher than the recommended values supporting the fact that hypertension was the most common disease in the group and potassium intake was lower than the recommended value. Today, it is known that the nutritional habits of individuals change with the development of technology. In the fight with obesity, it is important to increase awareness in the society, to gain healthy living and eating habits and to increase the level of physical activity. More comprehensive studies are needed to better address the nutritional status of individuals in this group and to bring them into society