INTRODUCTION: 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).

CONCLUSION: 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.