Iron Deficiency Anemia in Relation to Body Weight in Egyptian Adolescents: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Obesity & iron deficiency anemia are two global health problems, with major consequences on human health. Many studies found an association between them explained by chronic inflammatory mediators that increase in obese personnel affecting iron absorption & transport. On the contrary, other studies denied this association especially in adolescents. Aim of Study: Assessment of the relation between obesity & iron deficiency anemia in Egyptian adolescents. Patients and Methods: Thecross sectional study included 127 adolescent participants aged 14-19 years old attending outpatient clinic for Family Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital. They were classified according to their body mass indexinto normal weight, overweight & obese according to growth using WHO growth curves. Demographic data, medical history & examination were done to confirm inclusion & exclusion criteria. A blood sample was taken for hemoglobin concentra- tion & serum ferritin level. Results: Iron deficiency anemia was more prevalent in normal than in overweight & obese patients (64%, 17.4%, 18.6% respectively). The difference was highly significant. ( p <0.001). Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia is common in Egyptian adolescents (86 out of 127 participants). The higher incidence of anemia in normal weight than obese patients denotes that obesity is not a decisive factor in development of anemia in adolescents as suggested by other studies.