A research on relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index among Turkish seafarers.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to investigate and to reveal the relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index (BMI) and obesity among Turkish seafarers by using the health examination reports data obtained from 2009 to 2016.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data on age, gender, weight, height and blood groups obtained from 298,247 medical examination reports of Turkish seafarers were used with the official permission of Directorate General of Health for Border and Coastal Areas. Only 116,871 reports included blood group data. Regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed to survey relationship between variables. The results of the study were compared with other studies in the related literature.

RESULTS: It has been revealed that AB Rh (-) group was associated the highest mean BMI value (mean: 25.952).

CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that seafarers with AB Rh (-) blood group, who have the highest mean BMI value, should pay special attention to their weight.