Being Overweight or Obese Is Associated with Lower Prevalence of Anemia among Colombian Women of Reproductive Age

Overweight and micronutrient deficiencies have manifested in the same individuals. This study investigated the association among iron deficiency (ID), anemia, and weight status among nonpregnant Colombian females aged 13-49 y (n = 3267). Data from the 2005 National Survey of the Nutrition Situation were used. The prevalence of ID (plasma ferritin <12.0 μg/L; individuals with CRP >0.012 g/L excluded) and anemia (altitude-adjusted hemoglobin <120 g/L) was estimated separately. The likelihood of having ID or anemia was tested as a function of overweight (BMI-age Z-score 1-1.9 SD for 13-17 y, BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m² for 18-49 y) and obesity (≥2 SD for 13-17 y, ≥30 kg/m² for 18-49 y) using multivariate logistic regressions accounting for survey design. Additionally, demographic predictors of combined overweight/obesity with ID or anemia were identified. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.2 and 13.1%, respectively, whereas that of ID and anemia was 16.1 and 32.5%, respectively. Contrary to previous reports, overweight and obese women had a lower likelihood of anemia [OR (95% CI) = 0.8 (0.7, 0.9) and 0.8 (0.6, 1.0), respectively] than normal-weight women. Overweight/obesity combined with ID or anemia was present among 6.3 and 12.8% of women, respectively. Although overweight and obesity were associated with a lower likelihood of anemia, a sizeable group of women was identified as experiencing both over- and undernutrition. Because of the potential for exacerbated health problems in the presence of over- and undernutrition, these conditions should continue to be monitored.