Obesity: men and women, two bodies… two very different risks

By Elodie Vaz | Published on April 20, 2026 | 3 min read


Obesity is a complex chronic disease characterized by heterogeneous metabolic and inflammatory disturbances. It is a major determinant of metabolic syndrome, which affected nearly 1.54 billion adults worldwide in 2023. This syndrome includes several risk factors such as abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. All are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.  

But another risk factor is emerging as decisive: biological sex. According to scientists, it influences both fat distribution, liver metabolism, and the intensity of systemic inflammatory responses. Yet, the distinct profiles between obese men and women remain insufficiently characterized.

Decoding sex-specific profiles

A new study conducted by Dokuz Eylul University, to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) from May 12 to 15, aims to address this gap. The objective is to identify and compare cardiometabolic and inflammatory profiles in obese adults, highlighting potential sex-related differences. “Our results reveal fascinating differences in how men and women respond to obesity,” said Professor Zeynep Pekel, lead author, in a press release.  

An in-depth clinical analysis

Researchers analyzed data from 1,134 obese patients followed between 2024 and 2025, including 886 women (average age 45) and 248 men (average age 41).   Each participant underwent a comprehensive assessment including:

● anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure),
● a detailed lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose),
● markers of liver (ALT, GGT) and kidney function (creatinine),
● as well as inflammatory indicators (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet and white blood cell counts).  

This integrative approach aims to establish sex-specific biological signatures.  

Abdominal fat vs. inflammation: contrasting profiles

The analyses highlight marked differences. In men, the profile is dominated by metabolic and visceral involvement: significantly higher waist circumference, higher systolic blood pressure, and elevated liver enzymes and triglycerides. These findings reflect an accumulation of abdominal (visceral) fat and increased vulnerability to liver damage.  

In contrast, women show a profile more oriented toward inflammatory and lipid-related risk. Total cholesterol and LDL levels are higher, along with a significant increase in inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.  

These differences are partly explained by distinct biological mechanisms. Women tend to store fat subcutaneously and exhibit a stronger immune response, influenced in particular by estrogen and genetic factors linked to the X chromosome. Men, on the other hand, accumulate more visceral fat, which is known for its role in metabolic complications.

Toward sex-specific treatments ?

These findings highlight the importance of considering sex as a key variable in obesity management. “They demonstrate the crucial importance of sex-specific research,” emphasizes Dr. Pekel, co-author of the study, adding that these differences could “serve as a springboard for the development of targeted therapies.”  

However, researchers urge caution. “It is still too early to draw definitive conclusions […] our next steps involve validating these results in larger populations.”  

This work is part of a broader shift toward precision medicine. A better understanding of sex-specific biological determinants could eventually make it possible to tailor therapeutic strategies—whether for cardiovascular prevention, metabolic management, or inflammation control—according to sex, thereby significantly improving outcomes for obese patients.



                  Read next : Obesity: when the kidneys become overwhelmed



About the Author – Elodie Vaz
Health journalist, CFPJ graduate (2023).
Élodie explores the marks diseases leave on bodies and, more broadly, on human life. A registered nurse since 2010, she spent twelve years at patients’ bedsides before exchanging her stethoscope for a notebook. She now investigates the links between environment and health, convinced that the vitality of life cannot be reduced to that of humans alone.