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. 
