Background. Studies have reported that obesity has an adverse effect on iron metabolism. Obesity is characterized by chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation and anemia of chronic disease with elevated serum ferritin and decreased level of serum iron, transferrin saturation, and hemoglobin. Therefore, we examined the association of body mass index with hemoglobin concentration and iron parameters in this study. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Yazd to assess the relation of body mass index with hemoglobin and iron parameters among 406 adult patients 18–65 years old. Diabetes and conditions that could influence body iron stores were excluded. Results. There is no difference in hemoglobin concentrations, MCV, serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation index, and ferritin between normal weight, overweight, and obese persons. Conclusion. Nutritional status of persons and intake of high iron foods by obese persons should be considered. Also, other inflammatory markers should be evaluated in the future studies. 1. Introduction The increasing prevalence of obesity is a global health concern. In 2005, an estimated 400 million adults worldwide were obese [1]. Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, gynecological problems, sleep apnea, and respiratory problems. In addition, studies have reported that obesity has an adverse effect on iron status [2–6]. Studies on obese mice showed high level of hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression and suggested that lower hepatic iron status in obese animals might be associated with inflammation. Hepcidin is a homeostatic regulator of iron metabolism that restricts intestinal iron absorption and is known as a mediator of inflammation [7]. Rapid dietary and lifestyle changes in Mexico have produced a double burden of malnutrition with under- and over-nutrition occurring in the same population [8]. Obesity is characterized by chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation, which, in turn, has been associated with anemia of chronic disease specifically, elevated serum ferritin and low serum iron, transferrin saturation (TS), and hemoglobin. Studies have shown that the CRP concentration decreases significantly after massive weight reduction. This decrease indicates that fat mass plays an important role in the production of CRP. CRP is the main acute phase protein and it is also a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation [9]. A large study confirmed that overweight children were twice as likely to be iron deficient as normal weight children [10]. Ausk
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