Micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia associated with body mass index in Australian adults: a cross-sectional study

AimTo estimate the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia, and their association with body mass index (BMI) categories among Australian adults.MethodWe analysed data from the 2011-2013 Australian Health Survey from 3539 participants aged 18 years and over (without known pregnancy) with measured weight and height, and nutrient biomarkers. To address complex sampling, survey weights were used when estimating the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin B-12 deficiency; serum vitamin B-12<145pmol/L; iron deficiency; ferritin<30 mu g/L and vitamin D deficiency; 25-hydroxyvitamin D<50nmol/L) and anaemia (haemoglobin <120g/L for females and <130g/L for males) and when assessing associations with logistic regression models with adjusted ORs (AORs) for BMI categories: healthy weight (BMI 18.5 to <25.0kg/m(2)), reference; overweight (BMI 25.0 to <30.0kg/m(2)), obesity class I (BMI 30.0 to <35.0kg/m(2)), obesity class II/III (BMI 35.0 kg/m(2) or more).ResultThe prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency (range 0.9%2.8%) and anaemia (range 3.9%6.7%) were variable across BMI groups. The prevalence of iron deficiency in the obesity class I group was 12.0percentage points lower than healthy weight group with an AOR of 0.50 (95% CI 0.30 to 0.83). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the obesity class II/III group was 7.9percentage points higher than the healthy weight group with an AOR of 1.62 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.60). Vitamin B-12 deficiency and anaemia were not consistently associated with BMI groups.ConclusionWe found a consistent association between severe obesity and vitamin D deficiency in Australian adults. We also found obesity class I was negatively associated with iron deficiency, whereas there was no consistent association between BMI groups and vitamin B-12 deficiency and anaemia. Public health strategies are needed to prevent vitamin D deficiency in this high-risk population.

Automated summary

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia in Australian adults and their association with BMI categories. Findings showed varying prevalence rates of deficiencies and anaemia across different BMI groups, with severe obesity consistently associated with vitamin D deficiency, while obesity class I showed a negative association with iron deficiency. No consistent association was found between BMI groups and vitamin B-12 deficiency and anaemia.