Obesity is regarded as a chronic medical disease with serious health implications caused by a complex set of factors

MICRONUTRIENTS AND OBESITY Obesity is a complex, multi-faceted, chronic disease involving social, environmental, genetic, physiological, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components. It is the second leading cause of preventable death in America, second only to cigarette smoking, and increases risks of illness from over 30 medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, infertility, arthritis and heart disease. Prescription medications used to treat many of these conditions often induce micronutrient deficiencies as well. In fact, an astounding 98% of bariatric surgery patients exhibit micronutrient deficiencies within two years of surgery.