TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Dal Prà, Chiara
AU  -  Fabris, Roberto
T1  -  Obesity and gender differences
PY  -  2020
Y1  -  2020-01-01
DO  -  10.1723/3297.32669
JO  -  The Italian Journal of Gender-Specific Medicine
JA  -  Ital J Gender-Specific Med
VL  -  6
IS  -  1
SP  -  3
EP  -  14
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2612-3487
Y2  -  2026/04/15
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1723/3297.32669
N2  -  Summary. The metabolic syndrome is characterized by the association of cardiometabolic risk factors, leading to increased morbidity and decreased life expectancy, and is closely related to abdominal obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, chronic liver and gallbladder disease, some forms of cancer, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychosocial problems. The worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled over the last forty years. Overall, about 13% of the world’s adult population were obese in 2016.In most populations, the prevalence of obesity in adults is greater in women than men, but men are more likely to develop obesity-complicating diseases. Obesity induces a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation, that has been implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome and its associated pathophysiological consequences, such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and many non-metabolic obesity-related sequelae.A 5% weight loss improves obesity-related risk factors, and its benefits can persist as long as such weight loss is maintained. Weight loss can be achieved via different strategies, including lifestyle interventions, drugs or bariatric surgery. Gender differences in the various therapeutic strategies exist worldwide: men prefer to exercise, while women are more likely to join weight-loss programs, take prescription diet pills, and follow special diets. Intensive lifestyle interventions are difficult to achieve and maintain over a long period of time. Pharmacotherapy is the second-line treatment for obesity, but in Europe only orlistat, liraglutide and the fixed combination of naltrexone and bupropion are available. Weight loss obtained by bariatric surgery significantly impacted the number of hospitalizations due to obesity-associated risk factors and reduced the incidence of diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia, as well as cancer and overall mortality. Gender differences in the prevalence of obesity and its complicating diseases do exist, but the exact mechanisms are yet to be fully clarified.
ER  -