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Healthcare
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Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment
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Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health and Preventive Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 8897

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marco La Marra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Interests: neuroscience; obesity; cognitive functions; body weight regulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global prevalence of obesity and overweight continues to rise, posing significant challenges to public health systems worldwide. Obesity is a complex condition with multifaceted causes, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors, and it significantly increases the risk of various chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and certain cancers. Understanding the underlying causes and identifying effective prevention and treatment strategies are crucial to tackling this growing epidemic.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, which aims to explore the prevention, causes, and treatment of obesity and overweight. The focus aligns with the scope of Healthcare, which addresses the improvement in health and healthcare systems globally, particularly through evidence-based practices.

This Special Issue aims to highlight innovative research on obesity prevention, causal pathways, and therapeutic interventions, offering insights into both individual and population-level strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with obesity.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Behavioral interventions;
  • Public health policies;
  • Nutritional strategies;
  • Genetic and environmental risk factors;
  • Pharmacological and surgical treatments for obesity.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Prof. Dr. Marco La Marra
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • obesity prevention
  • overweight management
  • chronic diseases
  • behavioral interventions
  • nutritional strategies
  • public health policies
  • genetic risk factors
  • environmental influences
  • pharmacological treatments
  • surgical interventions

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 320 KB  
Article
Exploring Adults’ Experiences with Tirzepatide for Weight Loss: A Mixed-Methods Study
by Shukri Adam, Fatma M. Ibrahim, Eman Abdelaziz Ahmed Dabou, Sneha Pitre, Rania Aiman and Shimaa AbdelSamad
Healthcare 2025, 13(23), 3102; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13233102 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 140
Abstract
Background: Obesity confers substantial cardiometabolic risk. Tirzepatide, a once-weekly dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, produces dose-dependent weight loss in trials, but real-world patient-reported experiences are under-described. We evaluated real-world self-efficacy and experiences with tirzepatide in community settings. Methods: Explanatory sequential mixed-methods study of adults [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity confers substantial cardiometabolic risk. Tirzepatide, a once-weekly dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, produces dose-dependent weight loss in trials, but real-world patient-reported experiences are under-described. We evaluated real-world self-efficacy and experiences with tirzepatide in community settings. Methods: Explanatory sequential mixed-methods study of adults aged 18–59 years using tirzepatide for weight management. We collected a quantitative survey (demographics; medication use; 20-item Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire [WEL]) followed by purposive semi-structured interviews. Associations between WEL and participant characteristics were tested a priori (two-tailed α = 0.05). Results: Among 120 participants (50.8% male; mean age 42 ± 13 years), 91.7% reported weight loss and 85.8% had <6 months’ exposure. WEL total was 91 ± 34. Higher WEL was observed in females, employed participants, those with insurance coverage versus self-pay, during early months of therapy, and among those with prior weight-loss attempts (all p < 0.05). Interviews (n = 15) indicated high satisfaction, improved sleep/energy, mood, and confidence; gastrointestinal effects were usually mild/transient. Interpretation: In routine care, tirzepatide use was associated with high eating self-efficacy and positive patient-reported outcomes. Variation by coverage and duration suggests value in pairing pharmacotherapy with behavioral support and addressing affordability to sustain benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment)
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11 pages, 471 KB  
Article
Obesity, Knowledge, and Perceived Risk: Insights from the ObeCare Project Across Italian Territorial Pharmacies
by Francesco Ferro Russo, Federica Faccitondo, Vladimiro Grieco, Eugenio Leopardi, Stefania Agrimi, Gian Maria Rossi, Anna Cantarutti, Benedetta Canova, Riccardo Boracchini and Paolo Levantino
Healthcare 2025, 13(21), 2793; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13212793 - 4 Nov 2025
Viewed by 449
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a growing public health concern in Italy, with prevalence reaching 21.6% in 2022, particularly among the elderly. To address this issue, the ObeCare project was implemented to promote obesity prevention and awareness through community pharmacies. This study aimed to evaluate [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity is a growing public health concern in Italy, with prevalence reaching 21.6% in 2022, particularly among the elderly. To address this issue, the ObeCare project was implemented to promote obesity prevention and awareness through community pharmacies. This study aimed to evaluate obesity-related knowledge, lifestyle behaviors, and risk perception among participants engaged in the ObeCare project. Methods: A survey was administered to individuals >18 years old across Italian pharmacies involved in the ObeCare initiative by trained pharmacists. A validated questionnaire assessed obesity-related knowledge, risk perception, lifestyle behaviors, demographics, clinical conditions, and Body Mass Index (BMI). A multinomial logistic regression was implemented to identify predictors of overweight and obesity. Results: Obesity was more prevalent among men, older adults, and those with multiple comorbidities. Healthier lifestyle and greater health knowledge were significantly associated with having a normal BMI, whereas low lifestyle scores (OR 13; 95% CI 2.96–57.85) and the presence of multiple comorbidities (OR 14.79; 95% CI 8.00–27.36) were strong predictors of obesity. Individuals with obesity exhibited lower knowledge (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.02–2.37) and risk perception. Conclusions: This study highlights the significance of lifestyle habits, knowledge, and risk perception, which will be helpful in the prevention and management of obesity. These findings support community-based education and targeted interventions, especially for high-risk groups such as men, retirees, and residents of Southern Italy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment)
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15 pages, 273 KB  
Article
The Impact of Internet and Mobile Phone Usage and Unemployment on Adult Obesity: Empirical Evidence from the BRICS States
by Gamze Sart, Yilmaz Bayar, Marina Danilina and Marius Dan Gavriletea
Healthcare 2025, 13(21), 2765; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13212765 - 30 Oct 2025
Viewed by 465
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The number of overweight and obese people has significantly increased in the world, and this phenomenon is referred to as globesity. Globally increasing obesity has become one of the major problems to be dealt with for countries, given obesity-related health problems, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The number of overweight and obese people has significantly increased in the world, and this phenomenon is referred to as globesity. Globally increasing obesity has become one of the major problems to be dealt with for countries, given obesity-related health problems, including nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases and some types of cancer, and the economic and social costs of obesity. Therefore, countries try to combat obesity through diverse strategies related to nutrition, physical activity, and education. In this regard, identifying the factors behind obesity is critical to making progress in the fight against obesity. Methods: This study explores the interplay amongst ICT (information and communication technologies) indicators, including Internet and mobile phone usage, unemployment, and adult obesity in the BRICS states from 1995 to 2022, using recently developed cointegration techniques and causality tests. Results: The outcomes of causality tests uncover an interaction between Internet and mobile phone usage, unemployment, and adult obesity. In addition, the cointegration coefficients reveal that Internet and mobile phone usage positively impact adult obesity, while unemployment has a negative effect on adult obesity. Conclusions: Our outcomes uncover that improper use of the Internet and mobile phones foster adult obesity, but proper utilization of the Internet and mobile phones can be effective instruments in combatting adult obesity through increasing the awareness of healthy lifestyles and online weight loss programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment)
17 pages, 1275 KB  
Article
Dietary Habits, TCM Constitutions, and Obesity: Investigating the Protective Effects of Vegetarian Dietary Patterns in Taiwan
by Po-Yu Huang, Chien-Hsiun Chen, Yen-Feng Chiu, Hong-Chun Lin and Ching-Mao Chang
Healthcare 2025, 13(14), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13141641 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1846
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a global health challenge associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) body constitution theory offers a unique perspective on individual susceptibility to obesity; however, its integration into public health strategies remains underexplored. Objective: To examine the associations [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity is a global health challenge associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) body constitution theory offers a unique perspective on individual susceptibility to obesity; however, its integration into public health strategies remains underexplored. Objective: To examine the associations between vegetarian dietary patterns, TCM body constitution types (Phlegm stasis, Yang deficiency, and Yin deficiency), and overweight/obesity in a large-scale national cohort. Methods: Data were obtained from 3597 participants enrolled in the Taiwan Biobank. Socio-demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors (diet, smoking, physical activity), and anthropometric indicators (BMI and waist circumference) were assessed. Participants were categorized by weight status and TCM body constitution. Polytomous logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between vegetarian dietary patterns, constitution types, and overweight/obesity, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Among participants (mean age, 50.1 ± 9.4 years), 55.6% had normal BMI, 27.3% were overweight, and 17.1% were obese. Vegetarian dietary patterns were significantly associated with lower odds of Phlegm stasis (OR: 0.96; p < 0.001), Yang deficiency (OR: 0.97; p < 0.001), and Yin deficiency (OR: 0.97; p < 0.001), as well as with lower odds of overweight (OR: 0.72; p < 0.05) and obesity (OR: 0.67; p < 0.05). Physical activity was also associated with lower odds of all three constitution types and obesity. Phlegm stasis constitution was associated with higher odds of obesity (range of ORs: 1.18–1.58; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Vegetarian dietary patterns and regular physical activity were associated with lower odds of obesity and TCM constitution imbalances, particularly Phlegm stasis. These findings suggest a potential role for constitution-informed strategies in obesity-related public health approaches. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify temporal relationships and mechanisms. Clinical Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03938207 (Study Start: 1 October 2022). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment)
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11 pages, 451 KB  
Article
Associations of Mentally Active Versus Passive Sedentary Behavior with Overweight/Obesity in Adults: Role of Patterns and Sex
by Daliya S. Alobaid and Abdullah B. Alansare
Healthcare 2025, 13(4), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13040361 - 8 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Objectives: This study assessed associations of total and mental-activity-based sedentary behavior (SB) with the risk of being overweight or obese in adults. The role of sex and SB patterns and the effects of statistically exchanging different mental-activity-based SBs on body mass index [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study assessed associations of total and mental-activity-based sedentary behavior (SB) with the risk of being overweight or obese in adults. The role of sex and SB patterns and the effects of statistically exchanging different mental-activity-based SBs on body mass index (BMI) were explored. Methods: Participants (n = 1154) from the Saudi Post-COVID-19 Sedentary Behavior Survey self-reported demographics, health-related variables, and last-measured body height and weight. BMI was calculated to classify adults as normal weight or overweight/obese. The Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire estimated total and mentally active and passive SB per day, during weekdays, and on weekends. Adjusted logistic regression and isotemporal substitution models assessed the associations of SBs with the risk of being overweight or obese and the effects of displacing mental-activity-based SBs on BMI, respectively. Results: No significant relationships were observed in the overall sample (p > 0.05). Once sex was considered, the risk of being overweight or obese increased between 5.2% and 10.7% for each hour increase in total and mentally active SBs per day and on weekends in men only (p < 0.05 for all). Replacing one hour of mentally active SB with mentally passive SB resulted in non-significant effects on BMI (p > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings reveal the importance of distinguishing between SBs based on mental activity for more optimal obesity outcomes, particularly in men. Importantly, exchanging mental-activity-based SBs does not appear to be an effective behavioral strategy to reduce obesity. Obesity prevention and management plans should target reducing total and mentally active SBs daily and on weekends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment)
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Review

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28 pages, 434 KB  
Review
Endocrine and Metabolic Mechanisms Linking Obesity to Type 2 Diabetes: Implications for Targeted Therapy
by Salvatore Allocca, Antonietta Monda, Antonietta Messina, Maria Casillo, Walter Sapuppo, Vincenzo Monda, Rita Polito, Girolamo Di Maio, Marcellino Monda and Marco La Marra
Healthcare 2025, 13(12), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13121437 - 16 Jun 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4312
Abstract
Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are interrelated chronic conditions whose global prevalence continues to rise, posing significant clinical and socioeconomic challenges. Their pathophysiological intersection—commonly referred to as “diabesity”—is sustained by a complex interplay of mechanisms, including visceral adipose tissue inflammation, macrophage [...] Read more.
Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are interrelated chronic conditions whose global prevalence continues to rise, posing significant clinical and socioeconomic challenges. Their pathophysiological intersection—commonly referred to as “diabesity”—is sustained by a complex interplay of mechanisms, including visceral adipose tissue inflammation, macrophage polarization, disrupted insulin signaling, and adipokine imbalance. These processes contribute to chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, impair pancreatic β-cell function, and exacerbate glucose intolerance. This review critically explores the mechanistic connections between obesity and T2DM, with a focus on recent advances in pharmacological therapies—such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists—alongside evidence-based lifestyle modifications and bariatric procedures. By integrating current translational and clinical findings, we aim to provide a comprehensive perspective to support the development of more effective and individualized treatment strategies for diabesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Overweight: Prevention, Causes and Treatment)
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