The Relationship Between Iron Status and Adiposity in Women from Developing Countries: A Review

Abstract

Scientific reports have shown that iron deficiency is positively associated with adiposity. With the high prevalence of iron deficiency and obesity in developing countries and women being particularly affected, this review was carried out with the aim of elucidating the link between iron status and adiposity in women from developing countries and to examine factors influencing this relationship. An extensive literature search was conducted using several search engines. A systematic approach with prespecified inclusion criteria was used in selecting relevant literature. Eight studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected for review. The relationship between iron status indices and adiposity in women in developing countries varied widely. While some studies observed negative relationships, some reported positive relationships, and others no significant relationships. Furthermore, other factors such as infection, alcohol consumption, type of diet, and genes were shown to affect the relationship between iron status and adiposity in women in developing countries. In conclusion, the possibility of iron status playing a role in adiposity in women from developing countries is likely, and it may be influenced by several other factors as described in the results. Thus, it is recommended that a special research effort should be directed toward this area.

Anemia among indigenous women in Brazil: findings from the First National Survey of Indigenous People’s Health and Nutrition

“…In contrast with the lack of association between food patterns and anemia, excess weight (i.e., overweight and obesity) showed a protective effect. The relationship between weight and anemia is complex [ 33 ]. On the one hand, overweight/obese women might have a greater chance of meeting specific nutrient requirements under food insecure settings due to higher food intake.…”

“…On the other hand, adiposity is related to chronic inflammation and decreased iron absorption [ 34 , 35 ], which might increase susceptibility to anemia. Population-based studies carried out in low- and middle-income countries have yielded mixed findings, with evidence of both positive [ 33 , 34 ] and negative [ 33 , 36 , 37 ] associations between weight and anemia.…”

Prevalence and correlates of anaemia in adolescents in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Additionally, household characteristics such as hygiene, parental education, household income and number of children in the family are also important determinants of anaemia (12) . Recently, lifestyle factors leading to obesity such as sedentary lifestyle, fast-food intake and preference for indoor activities have been associated with anaemia (13) . Anaemia, especially in females, affects the whole life cycle if not diagnosed or treated in a timely manner.…”

The Double Burden of Malnutrition in East Asia and the Pacific

“…Seventy-eight countries have two forms of malnutrition, and just eighteen countries have only one form. The coexistence of overweight/obesity and iron deficiency in the same individual has been shown in children (Pinhas-Hamel et al 2003), in women in the United States (Neymotin and Sen 2011), as well as in women in Vietnam (Laillou et al 2014), but not consistently in women in all developing countries (Aderibigbe et al 2014).…”