No Difference in Magnesium Intake between Obese Women and Healthy Controls

Magnesium is a predominantly intracellular ion and plays an important role in energy metabolism and in the maintenance of energy homeostasis. This study aimed to estimate the dietary intake of magnesium and its association with adiposity parameters in obese women. This cross-sectional study included 125 women, aged between 20 and 50 years, who were divided into two groups: obese group (n = 62) and control group (n = 63). The control group was age-matched. Adiposity parameters determined were weight, body mass index and waist circumference as well as the intake of calories, macronutrients, and magnesium were calculated. The cut-off for obesity was body mass index between 30.0 and 39.9 kg/m2 and for control group was between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 Food intake was calculated using 3-day food records, and energy consumption as well as the intake of macronutrients and magnesium was calculated using the NutWin software version 1.5. The reference values used were the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for macronutrients and the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for magnesium. The average levels of magnesium found in the diet were lower than those recommended (169.1 ± 64.5 mg Mg/day and 158.5 ± 42.9 mg Mg/day, for obese women and control group, respectively) and the differences between the groups were not statistically different (p > 0.05). The correlation analysis indicated that the association between the dietary intake of magnesium and adiposity was not significant. The results of this study indicate that dietary magnesium does not influence the adiposity parameters in obese women.