DOUBLE JEOPARDY: HIGH ANEMIA PREVALENCE IN UNDERWEIGHT AND OBESE YOUNG MEN: A PAKISTANI PERSPECTIVE ON ANDROLOGICAL HEALTH
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Keywords
Anemia, Body mass index, Hemoglobin, Male hypogonadism, Testosterone, Obesity
Abstract
Objective: To determine the association between body mass index (BMI) categories and anemia prevalence in young adult males and its potential impact on andrological well-being.
Methodology: This Cross-sectional study was conducted at Teaching Hospital Turbat, from February 2024 to August 2024. One hundred and eighty-six young males aged 18-40 years were recruited using convenient purposive sampling. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <13 g/dL. BMI was categorized as underweight (<18.5 kg/m²), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m²), and obese (≥30 kg/m²). Complete blood count was performed using automated hematology analyzer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: Mean age was 30.45±5.82 years. Overall anemia prevalence was 30.1% (56/186). A U-shaped relationship was observed: underweight 72.7% (8/11), normal weight 30.0% (30/100), overweight 16.7% (9/54), and obese 42.9% (9/21). Significant negative correlation (r=-0.287, p<0.001) was found between BMI and hemoglobin. Mean hemoglobin was lowest in underweight (11.82±1.45 g/dL) and obese (12.23±1.78 g/dL) groups.
Conclusion: Both extremes of BMI showed remarkably high anemia prevalence. Given the established link between anemia and testosterone deficiency, these findings have important implications for male reproductive health and andrological well-being.
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Noman Sadiq
PhD Scholar, Physiology, Sindh University, Jamshoro
Jamshed Warsi
Associate Professor, Physiology, Sindh University, Jamshoro
Mukhtiar Ahmed
Assistant Professor, Pathology, Jhalawan Medical College, Khuzdar.
Abdul Samad
Assistant Professor, Physiology, Rai Medical College, Sargodha
Muhammad Tahir
Associate Professor, Pharmacology, HBS Medical and Dental College, Islamabad
Somia Iqbal
Assistant Professor, Physiology, Wah Medical College, Wah.