Anemia and its determinants among adults in central India: a cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20254362Keywords:
Anemia, Body mass index, Hematological parameters, Hemoglobin, Nutritional status, Public healthAbstract
Background: Anemia remains a major public health problem in India despite national control programmes. Its multifactorial causes include nutritional deficiencies, chronic illnesses, and sociodemographic factors. Limited data are available on the interplay of anemia with nutritional status and hematological variations in central India.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 participants. Demographic and anthropometric details were recorded, and BMI was classified using WHO Asian cut-offs. Hematological parameters (Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC, hematocrit) were measured using an automated analyser. Anemia was defined and graded using WHO criteria and further classified morphologically. Statistical analysis included Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation. A p value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean hemoglobin level was 12.64±1.49 gm/dl. The prevalence of anemia was 36%, with 0.3% severe, 12.8% moderate, and 23% mild cases. Morphologically, microcytic anemia (24%) and hypochromic anemia (53.6%) predominated. Anemia was significantly associated with age (p=0.012), highest among participants <18 years (43.2%). No significant association was found with sex or BMI, though underweight individuals had the highest prevalence (43.8%). Mean hemoglobin was significantly higher in males (13.38 gm/dl) than females (12.22 gm/dl, p<0.001). Hemoglobin correlated positively with both BMI (r=0.159, p=0.002) and age (r=0.202, p<0.001).
Conclusions: Anemia affects more than one-third of the studied population, with microcytic and hypochromic patterns suggesting iron deficiency as a major cause. Younger individuals and those with low BMI are most vulnerable. The findings highlight the dual burden of malnutrition- anemia and undernutrition coexisting with rising overweight, obesity, and elevated blood sugar. Targeted interventions addressing both ends of the nutritional spectrum are urgently needed.
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