Thyroid Volume and Thyroid Function Parameters Are Independently Associated with Weight Status in Overweight Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Obesity Research
• Thyroidology

Background:

• A potential relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), insulin resistance, and thyroid volume, particularly in the context of obesity, has been proposed.
• Obesity is a growing concern in childhood, with potential implications for endocrine health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between thyroid volume and structure with thyroid function parameters, weight status, and insulin resistance in children.
• To analyze changes in thyroid volume and function following a lifestyle intervention in obese children.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving overweight and normal-weight children to assess weight status (BMI-SDS), thyroid function (TSH, fT3, fT4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and thyroid volume via ultrasound.
• A 1-year lifestyle intervention was conducted on obese children, with follow-up measurements of thyroid volume, structure, and function.

Main Results:

• Overweight children exhibited significantly greater thyroid volume and higher TSH and fT3 concentrations compared to normal-weight children.
• Thyroid volume was significantly associated with BMI-SDS (r² = 0.41) but not with thyroid function parameters or HOMA-IR.
• Changes in BMI-SDS were significantly correlated with changes in thyroid volume (r = 0.22), which were reversible after weight loss.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid volume is positively correlated with weight status in childhood obesity.
• The observed changes in thyroid volume are reversible following weight loss, irrespective of thyroid function parameters or insulin resistance.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind reversible thyroid volume increases in overweight children.