The double burden of obesity and iron deficiency on children and adolescents in Greece: the Healthy Growth Study

Background Some small cohort studies have noted that obesity co‐exists with lower serum iron levels. The present study aimed to examine the association between being overweight and iron deficiency (ID) in a large cohort of Greek children and adolescents. Methods A representative sample of 2492 primary schoolchildren aged 9–13 years old was examined. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary intake and physical activity data were collected. Results The prevalence of ID and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was higher in obese boys and girls compared to their normal‐weight peers (P