Prevalence of biochemical nutritional deficiencies in adults attending a Level 3 Obesity Service in Ireland

Sarah O; Cathy Breen; Mallory Noone; Jessica Mellotte; Grace Maher; Rachel Crossan; Claire Kearney; Colin Dunlevy; Cara O; Jane Cardiff; Rosalind Peart; Ciara Brack; Jean O

doi:10.1530/endoabs.115.EP6

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Endocrine Abstracts (2026) 115 EP6 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.115.EP6

IES2025 Research, Audit and Quality Improvement Projects E-Posters (60 abstracts)

Prevalence of biochemical nutritional deficiencies in adults attending a Level 3 Obesity Service in Ireland

Sarah O’Keeffe , Cathy Breen , Mallory Noone , Jessica Mellotte , Grace Maher , Rachel Crossan , Claire Kearney , Colin Dunlevy , Cara O’Grada , Jane Cardiff , Rosalind Peart , Ciara Brack & Jean O’Connell

Author affiliations

Centre for Obesity Management, St Columcille’s and St Vincent’s University Hospitals, Dublin, Ireland

Common nutritional deficiencies in people living with obesity include vitamins A, C, D, calcium, folate and iron¹. This audit aimed to estimate the prevalence of biochemical nutritional deficiencies in a convenience sample of 100 patients attending a Level 3 obesity service. Baseline data were gathered January - December 2023 from routine clinical databases, which included baseline anthropometry and biochemistry measures on 100 sequential patients. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Seasonal Vitamin D variation was considered by purposefully including 25 patients in each season. Among the sample (64% female; age 48±12.99 years, BMI 54±12.09kg/m²), Vitamin D inadequacy affected 61% of patients (47±23.57 nmol/l). Vitamin D levels showed seasonal variation (P < 0.01). Folate deficiency was found in 26% of patients (7.81±6.70 nmol/l). Iron levels were low in 55% of patients (12.82±5.13µmol/l), while 17% had low ferritin and 4% had low haemoglobin (14.01±1.30g/dL) indicating iron deficiency anaemia. Vitamin B 12 deficiency was found in 8% (392.44±229.67ng/l). The prevalence of vitamin D, folate, iron, and vitamin B 12 deficiencies in this cohort are consistent with the literature. Due to sequestration in adipose tissue, this cohort may have higher vitamin D requirements. Two-thirds of patients had at least one nutritional deficiency, emphasising the importance of routine screening to facilitate early medical nutrition therapy intervention. Future research will assess adherence to nutritional supplementation.

Reference1. Xanthakos SA (2009). Nutritional deficiencies in obesity and after bariatric surgery. Pediatric clinics of North America, 56(5), 1105-1121.