How good is the obesity associated with blood groups in a cohort of female university going students?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To find out frequency of obesity in female University students in Faisalabad and to investigate its association with blood groups of ABO system. METHODS: . Blood groups were determined by classic (antigen-antibody agglutination test). The data was analyzed through SPSS 20. Descriptive were presented as mean± SD and association of BMI with blood groups was assessed by regression analysis. P value ≤0.05 deemed statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of students, 192 attempted the questionnaire and participated in study (96% response rate), 30% of the 192 females were obese, distribution of ABO blood group showed 43%, followed by O, A and AB. 90% were Rh positive and 10% were Rh negative. Blood group O showed a trend towards obesity and blood group AB showed a trend towards lean body. CONCLUSION: The blood group O showed the significant positive association with obesity. Population with blood group O showed greatest susceptibility to be overweight and obese.