Association between vitamin A deficiency and anthropometric markers in individuals with class III obesity/ Associacao entre a deficiencia de vitamina A e indicadores antropometricos em individuos com obesidade grau III

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional status of VA according to the biochemical marker (serum levels of retinol) and its association with anthropometric markers in individuals with class III obesity. Material and Methods: Data collection was conducted in the preoperatory of Gastric Bypass surgery in a private clinic in Rio de Janeiro. Serum levels of retinol were quantified by HPLC-UV method, with VAD cutoff of 40 kg/[m.sup.2] and with mean age of 36.4 [+ or -] 11.7 years were evaluated. The prevalence of inadequate serum retinol (VAD) was 13.6%. There was negative and significant correlation between the serum levels of retinol and BMI. The correlation between serum retinol, WC and HC was negative and non significant but it presents clinical importance. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that BMI, WC and HC, methods which are of easy application in clinical practice, of low cost and less invasive, may corroborate the diagnosis of VAD in individuals with class III obesity. Key words: obesity, vitamin A, retinol, anthropometric markers, vitamin A deficiency. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o estado nutricional de vitamina A segundo o indicador bioquimico (concentracoes sericas de retinol) e sua associacao com indicadores antropometricos em individuos com obesidade grau III. Material e Metodos: A coleta de dados foi realizada no pre-operatorio de Bypass Gastrico em uma clinica particular do Rio de Janeiro. As concentracoes sericas de retinol foram quantificados pelo metodo CLAE-UV, com ponto de corte para a DVA 40 kg/[m.sup.2], com media de idade de 36,4 [+ or -] 11,7 anos. A prevalencia de retinol serico inadequado (DVA) foi de 13,6%. Houve correlacao negativa e significativa entre as concentracoes sericas de retinol e IMC. A correlacao entre retino