Is iron deficiency related with increased body weight? A cross-sectional study

Aim: To investigate the relationship between iron deficiency and obesity through dietary intake and inflammation parameters in overweight and obese women. Material/Methods: A total of 619 women, aged 20-49 years were involved in the study. The biochemical parameters [whole blood count (WBC), anaemia parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)] and bioelectrical impedance analysis were analysed in all participants. Results: Iron deficiency was identified in 23.5% of women with normal weight, and was much common in obese (45.6%) and overweight (41.9%) women. Although dietary iron intake was higher in the overweight and obese women, the WBC, CRP, hsCRP and sTfR levels were lower in women with normal weight than overweight and obese women (p<0.05). Conclusion: Iron deficiency risk can be more likely to occur in obesity due to increased level of inflammation. Therefore, physicians may need to take a greater role in addressing iron deficiency in their obesity patients.