Assessment of body mass index and its relationship with iron status indices among women in rural areas of Kermanprovince, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Prevalence of obesity has increased steadily and markedly in both Westernized andnon-Westernized countries. Few studies have examined the relationship of anthropometric indiceswith iron status indices. The objective of the present study was to assess the body mass index (BMI)status and its relationship with iron status indices among reproductive age group women in rural areasof Kerman province, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 370 reproductive age group women (20-45years old) were selected. General information data were gathered from each person usingquestionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Body weight and height was measured for each subject andBMI was calculated. Venous blood samples were drawn from subjects and plasma separated. In thestudy, iron status was assessed by measuring the concentrations of hemoglobin, plasma ferritin andhematocrit. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and pearson'scorrelation coefficient tests.Results: The mean BMI of subjects was 24.3 Kg/m2. 19.7% and 15.9% of subjects wereoverweight and obese respectively. Mean BMI significantly increased with age (p<0.0001) andnumber of pregnancy (p<0.002). Furthermore, BMI was positively associated with age (r =0.32,p<0.0001) and number of pregnancy (r = 0.26, p<0.003). Mean hemoglobin and plasma ferritinconcentrations were significantly greater in higher weight and BMI quartiles. The hematocrit was alsosignificantly greater in higher BMI quartiles.Conclusion: From these observations, it is concluded that obesity and overweight are importantnutritional problems in rural women in Kerman province. In addition, obese women had higher ironstores than did the non-obese women. Therefore, obese reproductive age women are at low risk ofdepleting iron stores