title: Impact of body mass index on thyroid functions in Indian children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is controversy about the relation of thyroid functions and body mass index. The present study was aimed to assess the relationship between thyroid function and body mass index in Indian school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 25 schools in 19 cities across five different geographical zones of India. Children, who consented, were evaluated for anthropometry and blood tests. Children were categorized as overweight and obese based on standard BMI criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were analysed for free T3, free T4, TSH and anti-TPO antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 13,691 children in the age group of 5-18 years formed the study population. The mean age and mean BMI were 11·9 ± 3·0 years and 18·48 ± 3·89 kg/m² respectively. Among these, 2119 (15·5%) children were overweight and 536 (3·9%) were obese. Subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 943 (6·9%) children.FT3 and TSH levels increased and FT4 levels decreased with increasing BMI in euthyroid boys and girls. Prevalence of SCH was significantly higher in obese/overweight children (9·0%, vs 6·5%; P = 0·034) as compared with normal BMI children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum FT3 and TSH were positively while FT4 was negatively associated with BMI in apparently healthy euthyroid children.
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Thyroid Research Centre, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Delhi, India. marwaha_ramank@hotmail.com
authors: Raman K
authors: RK
authors: Marwaha
authors: Nikhil
authors: N
authors: Tandon
authors: M K
authors: MK
authors: Garg
authors: Mohd Ashraf
authors: MA
authors: Ganie
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Narang
authors: Neena
authors: N
authors: Mehan
authors: Kuntal
authors: K
authors: Bhadra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine