Iron Absorption in The Low Oxygen Exposure and Weight Status (LOWS) Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Obese (BMI between 30-39.9 kg/m2) * Born at altitudes below 2,100 meters (\~7,000 feet) * Currently residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or surrounding area * Not taking any medication(s) that interfere with oxygen delivery/transport for 4 weeks prior to and throughout the entire study (e.g., includes sedatives, sleeping aids, tranquilizers and/or any medication that depresses ventilation, diuretics, alpha and beta blockers). * Willing to refrain from smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, and dietary supplement use throughout the entire study. * Willing to have a hypoxic tent set-up in their home and spend 8 consecutive hours per night in the tent for 8 weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m (\~4,000 feet), or have traveled to areas that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within the last 2 months * Cardiovascular abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, or any condition that interferes with oxygen delivery/transport (e.g., kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.) * Oxygen saturation \< 95% while awake or oxygen saturation dips below 88% for a total of ≥ 10 min overnight in normoxic conditions * Evidence of apnea or other sleeping disorders * Evidence of prior high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) diagnosis * Diagnosis or family history of sickle cell anemia/trait * Hematocrit \<42% for males, \<36% for females * Hemoglobin \<13 g/dL for males, \<12 g/dL for females * Blood…