Association Between Obesity and Thyroid Nodules in Children and Adults Living in Iodine-sufficient Areas: Analysis of Cross-sectional Data from Tianjin, China

Overview

Journal BMJ Open

Date 2025 Jan 14

PMID 39806693

Authors

Dandan Zhang

Yang Wang

Wenfeng Li

Yani Duan

Fang Li

Yushan Cui

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to analyse the association between obesity and thyroid nodules in children and adults living in iodine-sufficient areas in China.

Design: Analysis of data from two cross-sectional surveys.

Setting And Participants: 921 children from 2016 to 2021 and 1505 adults from 2018 to 2021 living in iodine-sufficient areas from Tianjin, China were recruited.

Outcome Measures: Anthropometric measures including height and weight were taken, and body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) were calculated. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed to assess thyroid nodules. A multifactor logistic regression model and a restricted cubic spline model were used to analyse the association between BMI/BSA and thyroid nodules in children and adults.

Results: Thyroid nodules were detected in 21.72% of children and 40.00% of adults. Compared with children in the low BMI and low BSA groups, children in higher BMI (=1.53, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.15) and higher BSA (=1.40, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.94) groups had significantly higher risks for thyroid nodules. High BMI and high BSA were also significantly associated with multiple thyroid nodules in children, with and 95% CIs of 1.51 (1.04 to 2.19) and 1.45 (1.01 to 2.08), respectively. The restricted cubic spline model indicated that the risk of thyroid nodules and multiple thyroid nodules in children increased with the increase of BMI-z-score and BSA. In adults, a high BSA (=1.34, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.77) was significantly associated with multiple thyroid nodules, but this association was not valid in the restricted cubic spline model.

Conclusion: Childhood obesity is associated with the risk of thyroid nodules; however, there is no clear association between adult obesity and thyroid nodules.

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