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Reuniting overnutrition and undernutrition, macronutrients, and micronutrients
Author(s) -
Kim Miji,
Basharat Anam,
Santosh Ramchandani,
Mehdi Syed F.,
Razvi Zanali,
Yoo Sun K.,
Lowell Barbara,
Kumar Amrat,
Brima Wunnie,
Danoff Ann,
Dankner Rachel,
Bergman Michael,
Pavlov Valentin A.,
Yang Huan,
Roth Jesse
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
diabetes/metabolism research and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.307
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1520-7560
pISSN - 1520-7552
DOI - 10.1002/dmrr.3072
Subject(s) - overnutrition , underweight , micronutrient , overweight , malnutrition , obesity , medicine , micronutrient deficiency , environmental health , body mass index , vitamin d and neurology , gerontology , endocrinology , pathology
Summary Over‐nutrition and its late consequences are a dominant theme in medicine today. In addition to the health hazards brought on by over‐nutrition, the medical community has recently accumulated a roster of health benefits with obesity, grouped under “obesity paradox.” Throughout the world and throughout history until the 20 th century, under‐nutrition was a dominant evolutionary force. Under‐nutrition brings with it a mix of benefits and detriments that are opposite to and continuous with those of over‐nutrition. This continuum yields J‐shaped or U‐shaped curves relating body mass index to mortality. The overweight have an elevated risk of dying in middle age of degenerative diseases while the underweight are at increased risk of premature death from infectious conditions. Micronutrient deficiencies, major concerns of nutritional science in the 20 th century, are being neglected. This “hidden hunger” is now surprisingly prevalent in all weight groups, even among the overweight. Because micronutrient replacement is safe, inexpensive, and predictably effective, it is now an exceptionally attractive target for therapy across the spectrum of weight and age. Nutrition‐related conditions worthy of special attention from caregivers include excess vitamin A, excess vitamin D, and deficiency of magnesium.