Association of Body Mass Index with Blood Groups, Rh Factor, Obesity and Other Factors among Students of King Khalid University, Abha, KSA: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: This study delves into the correlation between blood groups, Rh factor, and Body Mass Index (BMI) within the student cohort at King Khalid University. The research aims to uncover whether specific blood groups and Rh factors correlate with variations in BMI, an essential indicator of health status. Preliminary results indicate notable patterns, suggesting a possible link between certain blood types and BMI categories. This association could pave the way for personalized health interventions, emphasizing the importance of integrating genetic and physiological markers in health risk assessments. The findings hold the potential for enhancing targeted preventive strategies, contributing to the broader field of personalized medicine and public health.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting sociodemographic data and BMI measurements by using questionnaire that contained sociodemographic data including weight, height, types of ABO blood groups and other related factors of the participants. Chi square and other statistical tests included, correlation and multiple linear regression were used.

Results: Total participants were 580, out of which, male were 350 (60.3%) and 230 (39.7%) were females. Most of the participants’ age group was between 22 to 25 years. The maximum prevalence of obesity and overweight was found 15.2% and 12.1% in male compared to females. The most common blood group was O (32.6%) followed by the group A (29%), B (22.9%) and AB (15.5%) were found to be highly significant with BMI. In multiple leaner regression, gender (coefficient = - 2.89, p = 0.000), residence (coefficient = - 1.80, p = 0.013) and blood group B (coefficient = 1.16, p = 0.039) were associated to BMI.

Conclusion: This study reveals possible genetic implications on obesity risk among King Khalid University’s students by examining relationships between certain blood groups, the Rh factor, and BMI.