Iron Profile and Inflammatory Status of Overweight and Obese Women in Sari, North of Iran

Background: It has been suggested that inflammatory state due to obesity can lead to alteration in iron metabolism. Women in reproductive age are at higher risk of iron deficiency. In this study, we aimed to evaluate inflammatory status and iron markers in young overweight and obese women. Subjects and Methods: In this study, 120 young and healthy women with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 were enrolled. Biochemical data including iron profile and inflammatory markers were analyzed using mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and multivariate multiple regression model via MANOVA. Results: Iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin < 120 g/l) and iron deficiency without anemia (serum ferritin<30.0 mg/l) were detected in 21.67% and 33.33% of participants, respectively. Multivariate modeling showed that BMI was a significant predictor of transferrin saturation (p = 0.037), CRP (p = 0.013), soluble transferrin receptor (p=0.045), and soluble transferrin receptor/ ferritin ratio (0.015). Conclusion: The results of this study supported the positive association between obesity and inflammation and mild changes in iron markers.