Obesity: a gender-view.
G Muscogiuri1,2,3, L Verde4,5, C Vetrani4,6
1Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy. giovanna.muscogiuri@gmail.com.
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|September 23, 2023
Summary
Gender significantly impacts obesity, affecting body fat distribution and treatment responses. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective obesity management and drug development.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity prevalence and characteristics exhibit gender-specific patterns.
- Understanding gender differences is vital for effective obesity management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on anthropometric, nutritional, and pharmacological aspects of obesity from a gender perspective.
- To highlight the importance of gender in obesity research and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature search conducted within PubMed.
- Selected publications on obesity and gender differences were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Women have higher body fat percentage and different obesity phenotypes (gynoid vs. android).
- Gender-specific analysis is uncommon in anti-obesity drug trials, despite potential pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic differences.
- Bariatric surgery shows gender disparities in outcomes and psychological challenges.
Conclusions:
- Gender is a critical variable in obesity prevalence, phenotype, and body fat distribution.
- Differences exist in drug efficacy, clinical trial representation, and bariatric surgery outcomes based on gender.
- Further research is needed to address gender-specific responses to obesity treatments.
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