The prevalence of anemia and its association with body mass index and obesity in adults: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Anemia and obesity are health problems in Sudan. Data on the association between obesity and anemia in adults are scarce. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anemia and its association with body mass index (BMI) and obesity among adults in Sudan.

Methods: A community-based survey was conducted in northern Sudan. The participants' sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire. Multivariate binary analyses were performed.

Results: Out of 405 adults, there were 204 (50.4%) males and 201 (49.6%) females. Their median (IQR) of age and BMI was 45.0 (33.0‒55.5) y and 26.2 (22.5‒30.4) kg/m2, respectively. Thirty-nine (9.6%), 131 (32.3%), 122 (30.1%) and 113 (27.9%) were underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese, respectively. Ninety-three (23.0%) had anemia and one (0.2%) had severe anemia. BMI values in adults with anemia were significantly lower than those without anemia. In a multivariate binary analysis, increasing BMI (adjusted OR [AOR]=0.94, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.98) and obesity (AOR=0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.76) were associated with a lower risk of anemia.

Conclusions: Increasing BMI and obesity were associated with a lower risk of anemia. Further research is needed to explore the association between obesity and anemia.

Keywords: Sudan; age; anemia; body mass index; female; obesity.