Slimane Mehdad
Physiology and Physiopathology Team, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco; Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Souad Benaich
Physiology and Physiopathology Team, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco; Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Asmaa El Hamdouchi
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Nezha Bouhaddou
Physiology and Physiopathology Team, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
Mehdi Azlaf
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Imane El Menchawy
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Hakim Belghiti
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco; Mohammed V Military Hospital of Instruction, Rabat, Morocco
Hasnae Benkirane
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Houria Lahmam
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Amina Barkat
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco; Unit of Research on Nutrition and Health of Mother and Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
Khalid El Kari
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Mohamed El Mzibri
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Hassan Aguenaou
Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco
Abstract
Introduction: obesity and anemia remain global public health problems, having major negative effects on human health. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia and investigate its association with overweight/obesity and excess body fat among Moroccan adolescents.
Methods: a total of 292 adolescents aged 11-17 years were recruited. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were determined using standardized equipment. Body fat mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Hemoglobin concentration was measured by the HemoCue method.
Results: the overall prevalence of anemia was 13.7%. Anemia was more common among overweight/obese participants (15.2%) compared to non-overweight participants (12.8%). Overweight/obese boys were more likely to experience anemia than their non-overweight peers (odds ratio (OR): 1.49; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.51-4.41). Similarly, anemia likelihood was higher among individuals having excess body fat than those who do not have excess body fat, particularly among girls (OR: 1.64; 95%CI: 0.69-3.87). Excess body fat was also significantly associated with lower hemoglobin concentration in both the total sample and girls (P=0.014, and P=0.041, respectively). Overall, increased BMI, WC, fat mass, and percent body fat were associated with reduced hemoglobin concentrations. There was a significant negative correlation between hemoglobin concentration and BMI among anemic girls (P=0.023).
Conclusion: elevated BMI and body fat level were associated with lower hemoglobin concentrations and anemia. Further studies are needed to delineate the basis of such associations, and if these findings are confirmed, the guidelines for screening for anemia may need to be modified to include overweight/obesity as a risk factor.