Obesity Isn’t the Same for Everyone: Gender Differences in Cardiometabolic and Inflammatory Profiles – ECO26 Report
- Research presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 reveals that obesity affects men and women through distinct biological pathways, challenging the use of body mass index alone...
- A study of 1,134 adults with obesity found that while BMI values were similar between sexes, cardiometabolic and inflammatory profiles diverged significantly.
- In women, the research identified a different pattern marked by higher total and LDL cholesterol levels, suggesting a more atherogenic lipid profile, alongside elevated systemic inflammation markers including...
Research presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 reveals that obesity affects men and women through distinct biological pathways, challenging the use of body mass index alone as a universal health risk indicator.
A study of 1,134 adults with obesity found that while BMI values were similar between sexes, cardiometabolic and inflammatory profiles diverged significantly. In men, the condition was characterized by visceral fat accumulation, elevated liver enzymes such as ALT and GGT, higher waist circumference, increased triglycerides, and raised systolic blood pressure and creatinine levels — indicators of hepatic stress and cardiovascular risk.
In women, the research identified a different pattern marked by higher total and LDL cholesterol levels, suggesting a more atherogenic lipid profile, alongside elevated systemic inflammation markers including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and platelet counts.
These findings, presented by researchers from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey, indicate that men with obesity face greater risks related to abdominal adiposity and liver metabolic disruption, while women exhibit stronger associations with dyslipidemia and widespread inflammation — both contributing to heart disease and type 2 diabetes risk through different mechanisms.
The study’s authors emphasize that relying solely on BMI may overlook critical variations in fat distribution and metabolic health, particularly the dangers of visceral adiposity in men and the atherogenic and inflammatory risks in women. They advocate for sex-specific approaches in clinical evaluation and prevention strategies to improve outcomes in cardiovascular and metabolic disease prevention.
The research contributes to growing evidence that obesity is not a uniform condition but manifests through biologically driven pathways that differ by sex, supporting the need for personalized care in clinical practice.