Association between obesity and iron deficiency (Review)

• Published in: Experimental and therapeutic medicine Vol. 22; no. 5
• Main Authors: Alshwaiyat, Naseem Mohammad, Ahmad, Aryati, Hassan, Wan Mohd Razin Wan, Jamal, Hamid Ali Nagi Al
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Athens Spandidos Publications 01.11.2021; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd; D.A. Spandidos
• Subjects: Adults; Anemia; Blood; Body fat; Body mass index; Chronic illnesses; Complications and side effects; Cytokines; Development and progression; Health aspects; Hemoglobin; Homeostasis; Inflammation; Iron; Iron deficiency anemia; Liver; Obesity; Overweight; Peptide hormones; Physiological aspects; Review; Risk factors; Teenagers; Womens health; Malaysia
• ISSN: 1792-0981; 1792-1015
• DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10703

Obesity is a risk factor for several comorbidities and complications, including iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a serious global public health problem, with a worldwide prevalence. The high prevalence of obesity in combination with iron deficiency incidence observed in different age and sex categories suggests an association between obesity and iron status. Obesity may disrupt iron homeostasis, resulting in iron deficiency anemia. The association between obesity and iron deficiency may be due to increased hepcidin levels mediated by chronic inflammation. Hepcidin is a small peptide hormone that functions as a negative regulator of intestinal iron absorption. Significant body weight loss in overweight and obese individuals decreases chronic inflammation and serum hepcidin levels, resulting in improved iron status due to increased iron absorption. However, further randomized controlled trials are required to confirm this effect.