Association of thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and body mass index in overweight Hispanics in Puerto Rico.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a serious public health problem, and the increasing prevalence of overweight status in the population is a major concern worldwide. Fifty eight percent of the Hispanic population of Puerto Rico is obese, but no data are available regarding thyroid status and body mass index (BMI) in this Hispanic group. This study was conducted to investigate if a relationship existed between obesity and thyroid function, as measured by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on a group of Hispanics enrolled in a weight control clinic in Puerto Rico.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 637 clinical files of patients enrolled at Doctors Weight Loss Center. Five hundred seventy-five patients were eligible for this study. Inclusion criteria were adults > or = 21 years of age with data for age, sex, height, weight, percentage fat, and TSH values.


RESULTS
Prevalence of subclinical or mild hypothyroidism (TSH > 4.1 mU/L), as per American Thyroid Association definitions, was 8.2% in our study group, which is higher than reported in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Another 18.2% were in the at-risk category (TSH 2.51-4.0 mU/L).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no association between thyroid status and overweight or obesity in this study group but found a higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism compared to the prevalence reported in NHANES.
Figueroa
Brunilda
B
Graduate Department, Clinical Laboratory Science Program, School of Health Professions, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.
Vélez
Himilce
H
Irizarry-Ramírez
Margarita
M
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
D013972:Thyrotropin