Obesity, Hormones and Reproductive Health
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Biological Factors".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 53
Special Issue Editor
Interests: obesity; metabolic syndrome; diabetes; dyslipidaemia; fatty liver disease; chronic kidney disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Obesity is a complex multi-factorial chronic medical condition characterized by overweight with excess or abnormal body fat accumulation. It is considered a significant risk factor when it comes to the development of numerous serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, and sexual and reproductive dysfunction. In general, obesity is caused by increased intake of energy rich foods and/or decreased exercise and physical activity. Among the genetic factors, hormonal imbalance as a cause and consequence of obesity plays a role in the adverse health effects of obesity. Several hormones, including insulin, leptin, sex hormones and growth hormone, have been studied extensively and play a role in appetite, metabolism, body fat distribution and increased storage of excess energy as fat. Thus, excesses or deficits in hormones lead to obesity; moreover, conversely, obesity also results in changes in certain hormones that contribute to the adverse metabolic effects of obesity, leading to life-threatening chronic diseases.
In addition to these metabolic effects, obesity and hormonal imbalances have profound impacts on sexual and reproductive health. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and others are intricately involved in regulating reproductive functions, and their dysregulation due to obesity can lead to conditions such as sexual and reproductive dysfunction in both sexes together with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility, menstrual irregularities and complications during pregnancy in females. The interplay between obesity, hormones and reproductive health is a critical area of research, as it not only affects individual health but also has broader implications for public health.
Although past research has focused on understanding the etiology of hormonal imbalance as a cause of obesity, recent technological and analytical advances have enabled the detection of a number of obesity-susceptible genes involved in the regulation of food intake, adipocyte function and reproductive health. These results provide plausible biological pathways that may be targeted in the future as part of treatment or prevention strategies.
We invite researchers to contribute original research articles and reviews covering studies on the interplay between obesity, hormonal imbalances, and sexual and reproductive health. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the role of hormones in obesity-related sexual and reproductive disorders; the impact of obesity on sexual health, fertility and pregnancy outcomes; and potential therapeutic interventions. Both basic and translational research papers are welcome.
Dr. Srinivas Nammi
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- obesity
- leptin
- insulin
- estrogens
- androgens
- growth hormone
- sexual dysfunction
- reproductive health
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