鉴于甲状腺结节的高发生率和潜在的恶性风险，了解不同因素对其发展的贡献是至关重要的。本研究旨在探讨代谢综合征、生活方式与中国南方成年男性甲状腺结节之间的关系。该研究共招募了183,990名研究对象，于2015年1月1日至2020年12月31日期间在中国南方某综合医院的体检中心进行。采用多变量 logistic 回归分析评估代谢综合征、生活方式因素与甲状腺结节之间的关系。此外，结构方程模型分析揭示了这些变量之间的错综复杂关系。中国成年男性甲状腺结节的患病率为14.9%。本研究确定了几个甲状腺结节的风险因素，包括年龄较大、不规律的进餐时间、吸烟或戒烟、戒酒、较重的体力劳动、高血压、糖尿病、血脂异常和腹心性肥胖。此外，属于少数民族和饮酒被发现对甲状腺结节具有保护作用。结构方程模型强调了代谢综合征在生活方式对甲状腺结节影响中的中介作用。 中国成年男性甲状腺结节的患病率相对较中等到低。本研究确定的各项因素有助于临床医生识别高风险患者，并制定有针对性的筛查策略，及时发现甲状腺结节。然而，进一步机制研究和纵向研究是探索潜在原因和建立因果关系所必需的。

Given the high prevalence of thyroid nodules and the potential for malignancy, it is imperative to understand the various factors that contribute to their development. This study aimed to explore the relationship between metabolic syndrome, lifestyle, and thyroid nodules in adult men in southern China.This study enrolled a total of 183, 990 subjects at a medical examination center in a general hospital in southern China between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome, lifestyle factors and thyroid nodules. Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) elucidated the intricate relationships among these variables.The prevalence of thyroid nodules among Chinese adult males was 14.9%. Several factors were identified as risk factors for thyroid nodules, including advanced age, irregular meal time, smoking or quitting smoking, quitting drinking, heavier manual labor, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and centripetal obesity. And, belonging to ethnic minorities and drinking alcohol were found to be protective factors against thyroid nodules. Structural equation modeling highlighted metabolic syndrome's mediating role amidst lifestyle influences on thyroid nodules.The prevalence of thyroid nodules in Chinese adult males is relatively moderate to low. The factors identified in this study can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and develop targeted screening strategies for the timely detection of thyroid nodules. However, further mechanistic research and longitudinal studies are necessary to explore the underlying causes and establish causal relationships.