Global status and trends of proteomics in obesity: a bibliometric analysis and knowledge graph study

Proteomics plays an essential role in uncovering the molecular mechanisms of obesity. This study aimed to map global research trends, identify major contributors, and examine evolving themes in this field over the past two decades.

A bibliometric analysis was performed using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 1999 to February 2025. Only English-language original articles and reviews were included. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to analyze publication volume, collaboration networks, core journals, citation patterns, and keyword co-occurrence.

A total of 1688 publications were analyzed. Research output increased steadily and peaked in 2022. The United States led in publication count and citations, followed by China and Germany. Keyword analysis revealed a clear thematic shift: early studies focused on adipose biology and hormonal regulation, while more recent work highlights topics such as gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, type 2 diabetes, and PCOS. These shifts reflect an increased focus on systemic mechanisms and a stronger link to clinical needs such as diagnosis and personalized treatment.

Proteomics research in obesity has grown in both scale and complexity, with expanding global collaboration and evolving scientific priorities. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the field's development and offers direction for future translational and interdisciplinary efforts.