Iodine Supplementation in Obesity

Assessment of the Improvement of the Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Obese Women After Correction of Iodine Deficiency

The study hypothesis is that iodine supplementation will lower serum TSH and leptin concentrations and thereby improve the lipid and glucose profile.

The study will be a double blind, placebo controlled intervention study in obese women living in the Atlas foot mountains in Morocco, an iodine deficient area. Eligible subjects will be randomized into intervention and control group and will receive the respective supplement for 6 months. At baseline, midpoint and endpoint anthropometric as well as metabolic profile will be assessed. A health questionnaire will further be administered monthly when the tablets for the following month are distributed. Urine samples to determine iodine status will also be collected monthly.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women of reproductive age (20 to 50 years)
• Body mass index 27 to 40 kg/m2
• Having received oral and written information about the aims and procedures of the study
• Willing to comply with the study procedure
• Having provided oral and written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic disease or gastrointestinal disorders
• Nodular goiter
• Regular use of medication (except oral contraceptives)
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Subject who cannot be expected to comply with study protocol