An investigation on prevalence of Anaemia in relation to BMI and nutrient intake among adult rural population of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is now globally recognized as a major public health problem. The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of anaemia and interrelationship of anaemia with BMI among the adult rural population of the state of West Bengal India. Methods: Anthropometric measures, nutritional parameters, heart rate and hemoglobin were measured from 311 adult subjects by using standard technique. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was high among both sexes and more than the global prevalence. The anaemic individuals consumed nutritionally deficient diet than the non-anaemic individuals. The prevalence of anaemia was significantly high in underweight and normal groups. The odd ratio became significantly higher in underweight group than normal and overweight/obese groups of both sexes. Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia in the adult rural population might be related to dietary deficiency and poor dietary patterns. The present study indicated that the subjects with low BMI would have a higher risk of anaemia compared to normal or overweight subjects.