Soluble transferrin receptor levels in obese and non obese adolescents

Background Iron deficiency in children and adolescents maybe due to an inadequate supply of iron as well as increased iron requirements for growth and developmental processes. The incr easing prevalence of obesity puts children at risk of iron deficiency. Studies on the effects of obesity on iron deficiency have focused on low grade systemic inflammation as well as examining soluble transferrin receptor levels (sTfR) as an indicator ofiron deficiency. Objective To compare sT fR levels in obese and non-obese adolescents, assess for correlations between BMI, sTfR and obesity, and determine the risk of iron deficiency in obese adolescents . Method T his cross sectional study was conducted on 20 obese and 20 non-obese adolescents aged 15-17 in East Aceh District, from September to December 20 11. Subject were chosen through cluster sampling. The obese subjects had BMI > 95th percentile and the non-obese subjects had BMI s:851h percentile based on the 2000 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Exclusion criteria were blood disorders, chronic diseases, and a history of bleeding. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test and T test with a significance level of P < 0.05, and Pearson's correlation. Results The mean s TfR levels in obese adolescents was higher than in non-obese adolescents, [2.59 (SD 0.76) vs 2.14 (SD 0.45) μg/mL (P = 0.030)]. Iron deficiency (sTfR> 2.5 μgimL) was more common in obese than in non-obese adolescents [ (55% vs . 15%, respectively, (P = 0.019) ]. Analysis of the relationship between obesity according to BMI andsTfRrevealedan OR of 6.93; 95% CI 1.53 to3 1.38. The r elationship between the BMI and sTfR levels indicated a positive, moderate strength of association (r = 0.392) . Conclusion The mean sT fR levels in obese adolescents is significantly higher than in non-obese individuals. Obese adolescents have a 6.93 times higher risk of iron deficiency than non-obese adolescents. Body mass index has a positive and moderate association with sTfR