Linking the Levels of Ferritin and Haematological Indices with Variations in Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference of Apparently Healthy Adults in Port Harcourt.

Abstract

Background: The risk of some diseases associated with excessive adiposity and the impact it has on health care cost, makes it imperative for this study to aim at linking variations in body mass index and waist circumference to the levels of ferritin and some haematological indices in apparently healthy adult residents in Port Harcourt. We hypothesized therefore, that high body mass index and waist circumference might influence the amount of stored iron in the body. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty adults aged 18- 50 years who were resident in Port Harcourt, Nigeria were recruited which includes 67 (53.60%) female and 58 (46.40%) males for test and control. 125 subjects with normal weight according to world health organization standard were used as control group, 56 overweight subjects, and 69 obese subjects were the test groups. Five milliliter blood sample was collected by standard venipuncture from each subject, 3mls was dispensed into plain tubes and spun to obtain the serum meant for ferritin assay using STAT FAX-2100 by awareness technology, 2mls of the blood was used for the analysis of complete blood count using automated haematology analyzer. Body Mass index and Waist Circumference were taken using a stadiometer (for height), weighing scale (for weight) and a measuring tape. A well-structured questionnaire was also used in this study. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean levels of mean corpuscular haemoglobin (p=0.3057) and mean corpuscular volume(p=0.4860) between the normal weight and overweight /obese subjects. Mean level of ferritin was higher in the overweight and obese subjects compared to normal weight but not statistically significant. However, the mean levels of haematocrit (p=0.0002), haemoglobin (p=0.0001) and red blood cell counts (p<0.0001) were significantly higher in the overweight and obese group compared to the normal weight subject. The mean of waist circumference was significantly higher in the overweight and obese subjectscompared to control subjects p<0.0001. Additionally, it was observed in this study that body mass index and waist circumference is associated with age. Conclusion: Based on this study, it may be stated that overweight, and obesity is increasing in Port Harcourt. Neither anaemia nor iron overload was observed in this study. Furthermore, normal ferritin level among overweight and obese people does not necessarily indicate normal iron storage, therefore, serum ferritin should be used in conjunction with haematological indices for the diagnosis and monitoring of iron deficiency anaemia or iron overload in obese people. Further research with larger sample size is recommended to study the correlation between serum ferritin, complete blood count, other Anthropometric indices, with body mass index in apparently healthy adults in Rivers State Nigeria