Objective: Recent studies have shown a high prevalence of iron deficiency in obese adults. One of the possible reasons for this may be the slowing of intestinal motility, which may adversely affect iron absorption and transfer in obese individuals. To investigate this, serum iron levels were compared between obese and obese+constipated individuals.

Materials and Methods: The study included 22 obese and 22 obese+constipated individuals aged 20-64 years with a body mass index >30 without any chronic disease. Demographic information of the individuals was determined by face-to-face questionnaire method. Serum iron levels in fasting blood samples taken in the morning from obese and obese+constipated individuals were determined with a commercial ELISA kit.

Results: Serum Fe level was found to be significantly lower in obese+constipated individuals compared to obese individuals (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Serum Fe levels are influenced by intestinal motility, possibly because slowing of intestinal motility results in increased inflammation and oxidation, which have adverse effects on Fe absorption and transport. Nutritional and endocrine disorders, which are among the causes of gastrointestinal constipation, may also have an active role on Fe absorption. Consideration of gastrointestinal system motility in iron deficiency treatments may be useful for more accurate and effective treatment methods.