The relationship of body mass index and mid-upper arm circumference with anemia in non-pregnant women aged 19–49 years in Indonesia: Analysis of 2018 Basic Health Research data

by Olwin Nainggolan, Dwi Hapsari, Christiana Rialine Titaley, Lely Indrawati, Ika Dharmayanti, Antonius Yudi Kristanto

Anemia remains a major public health problem worldwide. This study examined the relationship between anemia and the nutritional status of non-pregnant women aged 19–49 years in Indonesia.

The data were derived from the 2018 Basic Health Research Data of Indonesia. We used information from 11,471 non-pregnant women aged 19–49 years. The dependent variable was anemia (hemoglobin level <12 g/dL). The independent variable was women’s nutritional status, a combined indicator of body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Our analysis controlled for women’s age, education, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and the presence of communicable or non-communicable diseases. We performed logistic regression analyses.

The prevalence of anemia in non-pregnant women aged 19–49 years was 22.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.4–23.3). Women with overweight and obesity were less likely to develop anemia than those with a normal BMI, regardless of their MUAC score. The highest odds for developing anemia were observed in underweight women with low MUAC scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.83, 95%CI: 2.19–3.68). Higher odds ratios were also observed in women with insufficient physical activity, despite their sufficient consumption of fruits or vegetables (aOR = 1.87, 95%CI: 1.06–3.28). However, women who had been diagnosed with a non-communicable disease had a reduced likelihood of developing anemia (aOR = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.67–0.83).

Strengthening health promotion activities to improve nutritional status and healthy behaviors, particularly a healthy diet, remains important for women in Indonesia to reduce the prevalence of anemia and improve their overall health status.