Underweight or malnutrition is frequently linked to a number of deficiencies-related concerns. According to a new study, children and young people who are overweight or obese also have a much higher risk of iron insufficiency.
After reviewing thousands of medical studies from 44 nations, nutritional specialists at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom came to their conclusions. In these investigations, individuals under 25 years old had their weight, iron, and other vitamin and mineral levels measured.
The results of the investigation indicated a correlation between underweight and overweight children and adolescents and iron deficiency. Deficits in zinc and vitamin A, however, were only found in children who were malnourished. The findings were released in the BMJ Global Health journal.
Anemia, a disorder characterized by insufficient numbers of healthy red blood cells, can be brought on by an iron shortage. Weakness, weakness, pale complexion, brittle nails, and low appetite are some of the symptoms. Complications from iron deficiency anemia might include cardiac issues, such as irregular heartbeat, early birth, low birth weight in expectant mothers, and stunted growth and development in small children.
Although iron deficiency has been linked to obesity in adults in previous studies, this current study examines the relationship in youngsters.
“The relationship between undernutrition and critical micronutrients for childhood growth and development is well established, but less is known about the risk of deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, and zinc in children and adolescents who are overweight or obese, making this a hidden form of malnutrition,” said Xiaomian Tan, the study’s lead author, in a
“Our research is hugely important given the high prevalence of obesity in children. We hope it will lead to increased recognition of the problem by healthcare practitioners and improvements in clinical practice and care,” Tan stated.
The systems that disturb inflammation and regulate iron absorption are thought to be the likely cause of iron insufficiency in overweight children, according to the researchers.
“By the age of 11 here in the UK, one in three children are living with overweight or obesity, and our data suggests that even in overweight children inflammation leading to iron deficiency can be an issue,” Bernadette Moore, the research supervisor, stated.
“Iron status may be the canary in the coalmine, but the real issue is that prolonged inflammation leads to heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver,” Moore stated.
Researchers suggest increasing physical activity and improving diet to enhance iron status and reduce inflammation, but they also emphasize the need for more study to determine how effective these therapies are.
