Actively Recruiting
Iron Absorption and Losses in Young South African Women Living Without and With Overweight and Obesity
Led by Linda Malan · Updated on 2026-03-23
70
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
100 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
L
Linda Malan
Lead Sponsor
K
King's College London
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Young women living with obesity (OB) have a greater risk of developing iron deficiency. Plus, the risk of anemia and/or ID in young women living with overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) is further increased by inadequate dietary intake and/or poor bioavailability of iron, as well as gastrointestinal and menstrual iron losses. It is not certain whether women living with OW/OB can meet their iron requirements from their day-to-day diet. The aim of this study is to compare iron absorption and losses over a long period between women living with and without OW and OB. Secondary outcomes include iron and inflammation status, as well as dietary iron intake.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Iron Absorption and Losses in Young South African Women Living Without and With Overweight and Obesity
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Of African descent
- BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 for participants living without OW/OB and BMI �3E�3D 28 kg/m2 for participants living with OW/OB
- Having low to moderate inflammation-adjusted iron stores (ferritin �3C= 50 �b5g/L)
- Absence of low-grade inflammation (CRP <2 mg/l) for participants living without OW/OB and presence of low-grade inflammation (CRP 2-20 mg/l) for participants living with OW/OB
- Planning to reside in the study area for at least 2 years
- Labeled with stable iron isotope (tracer) for a minimum of one year (phase 2)
- Willingness not to start or stop contraceptive use during the 6 months (phase 2)
- BMI �3E�3D 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 for participants living without OW/OB and BMI �3E�3D 28 kg/m2 for participants living with OW/OB (phase 2)
You will not qualify if you...
- Hemoglobin < 11 g/dl
- Treated or self-reported chronic or malabsorptive disorder
- Current use of chronic anti-inflammatory medication, like corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
- Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant in the next 2 years
- Lactation
- Fear of needles or experiencing vaso-vagal episodes when exposed to blood
- Difficulty drawing blood due to poor quality veins
- Blood donation in the past 4 months or plans to donate blood during the study
- On a weight-loss diet or program or planning to start the same during the study
- Smoking
- Unwillingness to stop taking iron and /or vitamin C-containing supplements during phase 1 of the study
- Regular use of antacids, proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers
- Blood transfusion, intravenous iron infusion, blood donation or significant blood loss during the equilibration period (phase 2)
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Esté Vorster Research Facility
Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa, 2531
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Mary Uyoga, PhD
CONTACT
L
Linda Malan, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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