How Obesity Affects Men and Women Differently

New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Istanbul, Turkey, indicates that obesity impacts men and women through distinct biological pathways, leading to different hidden health risks for each sex.

The findings, detailed by a research team from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey, suggest that the way the body responds to obesity varies by sex, which may explain why associated health risks differ between men and women.

Scientists indicate that these insights could enable doctors to move toward more personalized treatment strategies and tailored interventions for obesity.

Gender-Specific Health Risks and Fat Distribution

The study conducted by Dokuz Eylul University found that men with obesity are more prone to accumulating abdominal, or visceral, fat. This specific type of fat surrounds internal organs and is strongly associated with metabolic conditions and serious heart health issues.

In addition to abdominal fat accumulation, men in the study exhibited higher levels of liver enzymes, which can serve as a signal for liver damage.

Conversely, women with obesity were more likely to show elevated cholesterol levels and widespread inflammation. Both of these markers are linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Biological Patterns of Obesity

Medical research distinguishes between two primary fat distribution patterns: android and gynoid obesity. Android obesity, often described as an apple-shaped body, involves fat concentration around the upper body, chest, and abdomen.

This android pattern is significantly more common in men than in premenopausal women, with the android fat distribution rate in men being approximately 10% higher than in women before menopause.

The primary danger of the android pattern is the presence of visceral fat, which is metabolically active in harmful ways compared to fat stored just beneath the skin.

Clinical Implications and Personalized Medicine

The differences in how obesity manifests biologically mean that the risks related to metabolism, inflammation, and heart health do not develop identically across sexes.

Our findings reveal intriguing differences in the way men and women respond to obesity

Dr. Zeynep Pekel, lead author from Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey

Because sex and gender differences influence patterns of fat distribution, metabolic health outcomes, and responses to treatment, a one-size-fits-all approach to obesity management may be less effective than gender-informed strategies.

These biological variations contribute to a broader landscape where women generally exhibit a higher overall prevalence of obesity, while men are more likely to face the specific risks associated with visceral adiposity.

By identifying these distinct markers—such as liver stress in men and systemic inflammation in women—healthcare providers may be able to better predict complications and implement more precise medical interventions.