Iron Status Related to Body Fat

According to a recently published study, iron levels are associated with the amount of body fat in adolescents. Iron plays a role in several important physiological functions, including carrying oxygen throughout the body bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells. Free iron is transported in the blood by the protein transferrin. The most specific indicator of iron status is transferrin saturation, which is the ratio of serum iron and total iron-binding capacity, multiplied by 100. Iron status is also measured by hemoglobin concentration, as iron levels can influence hemoglobin synthesis. Ferritin is a measurement of stored iron.

Adolescents between 9 and 13 years of age were evaluated for body fat and visceral (abdominal) fat mass and measurements of iron status. Additionally, clinical and dietary data was collected.

The results showed that adolescents with the highest percentage of body fat mass had significantly higher levels of serum ferritin compared to the normal-weight subjects. Additionally, the subjects with the highest percentage body fat and visceral fat mass had significantly lower levels of transferrin saturation compared to the normal-weight subjects.

Indicators of insufficient iron status were significantly higher in boys and girls with the highest percentage body fat compared to the subjects with lower percentages of body fat. Furthermore, the subjects with the highest percentage of body fat and visceral fat mass were over two-times more likely to have insufficient iron status.

The researchers concluded that percentage body fat and visceral fat mass were associated with insufficient iron status in both sexes of preadolescents.

Reference:

Moschonis G, Chrousos GP, Lionis C, Mougios V, Manios Y. Association of total body and visceral fat mass with iron deficiency in preadolescents: the Healthy Growth Study. Br J Nutr. 2011 Oct 5. Published Online Ahead of Print.

Note: Children should always have their iron levels tested before supplementing with iron.