Study Reveals Sex-Specific Health Risks in Obesity: Men Show More Visceral Fat and Liver Stress, Women Have Higher Inflammation and Cholesterol

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:05:00 +0200

New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity highlights significant differences in how obesity affects men and women. According to scientists from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey, men with obesity tend to accumulate more dangerous visceral fat around their internal organs, which is linked to higher risks of heart disease, metabolic disorders, and liver stress. The study, involving 886 women and 248 men, found that men had larger waist circumferences, higher blood pressure, elevated liver enzymes (ALT and GGT), higher triglycerides, and increased creatinine levels compared to women. These factors point to greater potential for liver damage and metabolic complications in men. In contrast, women with obesity exhibited higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, along with elevated inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelet count. This suggests women may face stronger inflammatory responses and related cardiovasc