Iron status and dietary intakes of iron in normal-weight and obese young Mexican women.

Introduction: Obesity is reported to be a predictor of iron deficiency. In Mexico, 45.5% of women older than 20 years have obesity, and the prevalence of anemia is 10.2% in women 20 to 29 years.

Objective: To investigate the relation between body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (% BF), dietary intakes and iron status of healthy normal-weight and obese young women.

Methods: A total of 86 women [normal-weight (n = 46) and obese (n = 40)] completed the study. Intakes were evaluated by an 8-day food-record. Anthropometrics and blood collection (hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin and transferrin) were done on the luteal phase of menstrual cycle; menstrual characteristics were also reported. Iron status was determined according to stages of iron depletion. T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare groups' variables. Pearson correlation was used to determine relationships between variables. An odds ratio (OR) analysis was used to measure the association of BMI, % BF and dietary intakes with iron status.

Results: Biomarkers of iron were similar between groups. There was a positive correlation between % BF and ferritin (r = 0.222; p = 0.032). Similar intakes and menstrual periods may be the reason of similar iron status. BMI, % BF or dietary intakes were not independent contributors to stages of iron depletion.

Conclusion: Guidance on dietary intakes is suggested for this population to avoid future iron deficiency complications.