Background: Adipocytes are not just storage organs for fat, they play a regulatory role in body homeostasis including iron metabolism. Concerns about the effect of visceral fat mass on serum ferritin has been raised as increase visceral fat mass accumulation may lead to sequestration of Fe within the reticuloendothelial system leading to decrease dietary Fe absorption from the intestine
Aim of the work: This study aims to detect relation between percentage of visceral fat mass and serum ferritin level in Sample of Ain Shams medical students.
Patients and Methods: this was a case–control study conducted on 150 medical students over 3 months they were divided into two subgroups: normal serum ferritin group and low serum ferritin group. All students were subjected to the detailed history and 24 hour dietary recall, anthropometric measurements, complete blood picture, measurement of serum ferritin=
Results: There were significantly negative association between visceral fat mass and serum ferritin also the serum ferritin showed significant positive correlations with BMI and waist hip ratio.
Conclusion: Higher visceral fat mass levels should be taken into account when assessing body Fe status and should probably be treated before providing dietary recommendations to correct low serum ferritin level.