RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 P2-289 Obesity and whole blood serotonin in healthy volunteers JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health JO J Epidemiol Community Health FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP A301 OP A302 DO 10.1136/jech.2011.142976k.22 VO 65 IS Suppl 1 A1 S J Hodge A1 B P Bunting A1 J J Strain A1 B J Stewart-Knox YR 2011 UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/65/Suppl_1/A301.4.abstract AB The aim of this study was to explore associations between fasting whole blood serotonin levels and anthropometric measures in healthy male and female volunteers (N=68) aged between 20 and 66 years. A fasting (20 ml) venous blood sample for whole blood serotonin was collected, after which body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were measured by DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan. Data were analysed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v 17.0) software. Pearson (partial) correlations showed significant associations between whole blood serotonin and BMI (r=−0.284, p=0.021) and waist circumference (r=−0.325, p=0.008). The correlational nature of these analyses do not enable conclusions to be drawn as to cause and effect but suggest an interplay between obesity and lower whole blood serotonin levels.