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A groundbreaking study by nutritional scientists at the University of Leeds has shed light on a concerning trend: children and young people who are overweight or obese face a significantly higher risk of iron deficiency.
Published in the journal BMJ Global Health on May 10, 2024, the research examined thousands of medical studies from 44 countries, focusing on individuals under the age of 25 and their levels of iron and other vital nutrients in relation to their weight.
Lead author Xiaomian Tan, a Doctoral Researcher in the University of Leeds’ School of Food Science and Nutrition, highlighted the importance of the findings: “Our research is hugely important given the high prevalence of obesity in children. We hope it will lead to increased recognition of the problem by healthcare practitioners and improvements in clinical practice and care.”
The study revealed a concerning association between iron deficiency and both underweight and overweight children and adolescents. Contrary to previous assumptions, iron deficiency was observed not only in undernourished individuals but also in those who were overweight or obese.
Historically, the problem of nutrient deficiency has been linked to malnutrition, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries. However, the research indicates that even individuals with excess weight may face nutritional deficiencies, highlighting the concept of ‘hidden hunger.’
In high-income countries, this hidden hunger is often associated with diets high in fat, sugar, and salt, while in lower- and middle-income nations, it may result from limited access to diverse, nutritious foods. The study underscores the urgent need for interventions to address both undernutrition and overnutrition, particularly in regions experiencing the double burden of malnutrition.
Research supervisor Bernadette Moore, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Leeds, emphasized the critical importance of addressing micronutrient deficiencies in the context of the double burden of malnutrition. “Iron status may be the canary in the coalmine,” she said, “but the real issue is that prolonged inflammation leads to heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver.”
To combat this growing health crisis, the researchers advocate for interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and improving diet to reduce inflammation and improve iron status in children. Moreover, they call for further studies to explore the effectiveness of these interventions and to fill gaps in data on micronutrient deficiencies in different regions.
The study’s findings serve as a wake-up call, urging policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities worldwide to prioritize efforts to address both undernutrition and overnutrition, safeguarding the health and well-being of children and adolescents for generations to come.
