Impact of Diet and Lifestyle Modification on Obesity and Thyroid Symptom Severity in Adults with Hypothyroidism in Tobruk: A six -Month Pre–Post Study

• Hamdi Lemamsha

  Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8864-9223

• Gurch Randhawa

  Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge Bury Campus, Hitchin Road, Luton LU2 8LE, UK

  Author

• Retaj Najem

  Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Retaaj Almabrouk

  Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Amira Edries

  Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Eman Abdalla

  Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Amani Sulemen

  Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

Thyroid disorders and obesity are increasingly reported among adults in Libya, while evidence on structured diet and lifestyle support for symptom control remains limited, particularly in Tobruk. Current care often lacks integrated nutritional and behavioural guidance despite the growing endocrine and metabolic burden. This study examined the impact of diet and lifestyle modification on obesity and thyroid-related symptom severity among adults with hypothyroidism over six months. A quasi-experimental pre–post design with a non-equivalent comparison group was conducted at Tobruk Medical Center and Tobruk General Hospital. Thirty-two adults with hypothyroidism were equally allocated into an intervention group (n = 16) and a comparison group (n = 16). The intervention involved a six-month structured programme focusing on iodine-rich foods, improved diet quality, physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week, and adequate sleep of seven to nine hours per night. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing thyroid symptom severity and four behavioural domains. Body weight and body mass index were recorded at baseline and follow-up. Analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28, including paired and independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The sample included twenty females and twelve males, mostly aged 35–54 years. Iodine-rich food intake showed a moderate negative correlation with thyroid symptom severity (r = −0.52, p < 0.001), while diet quality showed a stronger negative association (r = −0.59, p < 0.001). Physical activity and sleep showed non-significant associations (p > 0.05). Structured dietary modification may support better thyroid symptom control and obesity-related outcomes among adults with hypothyroidism in Tobruk

1. Hamdi Lemamsha , Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

   Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

2. Gurch Randhawa, Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge Bury Campus, Hitchin Road, Luton LU2 8LE, UK

   Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge Bury Campus, Hitchin Road, Luton LU2 8LE, UK

3. Retaj Najem, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

   Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

4. Retaaj Almabrouk, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

   Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

5. Amira Edries, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

   Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

6. Eman Abdalla, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

   Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

7. Amani Sulemen , Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

   Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

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Copyright (c) 2026 Hamdi Lemamsha , Gurch Randhawa, Retaj Najem, Retaaj Almabrouk, Amira Edries, Eman Abdalla, Amani Sulemen (Author)

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