Obesity and Metabolic Abnormalities

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1729

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Nursing and Nutrition, University Autonomous of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78700, Mexico
Interests: overweight/obesity cardiometabolic traits; insulin resistance; adipocytokines; oligoelements; gene expression; high-fat diet

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,  

Obesity is a growing global health issue, strongly associated with metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. These conditions significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Understanding the factors underlying obesity-related metabolic dysfunction is crucial for developing targeted therapies. I am pleased to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue titled “Obesity and Metabolic Abnormalities” for Healthcare. Its aim is to advance the understanding of the complex relationship between obesity and metabolic abnormalities, with a particular focus on how excess adiposity contributes to the onset, progression, and long-term outcomes of metabolic disorders.  In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: advanced medical investigation and treatment; impact of obesity on cardiovascular health and diabetes; health assessment; laboratory and diagnostic procedures; prevention and management strategies for obesity-related metabolic abnormalities; the role of lifestyle interventions (e.g., diet, exercise) in addressing obesity and metabolic disturbances; and public health strategies for combating obesity and its related conditions. We look forward to receiving your contributions.  

Prof. Dr. Maria Judith Rios-Lugo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • metabolic syndrome
  • insulin resistance
  • type 2 diabetes
  • adiposity
  • chronic inflammation
  • endocrine disruptors
  • leptin resistance
  • cardiovascular risk
  • brown adipose tissue

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 807 KiB  
Article
The Role of Gender in the Relationship Between Waist-to-Hip Ratio, Triglyceride–Glucose Index, and Insulin Resistance in Korean Children
by Seamon Kang, Xiaoming Qiu, Simon Kim and Hyunsik Kang
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070823 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 270
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Little is known about the relationship between obesity, the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index, and insulin resistance (IR). This cross-sectional study of Korean children investigated whether the TyG index mediates the relationship between the waist-to-hip ratio (WHtR) and homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR). [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Little is known about the relationship between obesity, the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index, and insulin resistance (IR). This cross-sectional study of Korean children investigated whether the TyG index mediates the relationship between the waist-to-hip ratio (WHtR) and homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR). Methods: Six-hundred-and-thirteen Korean children (320 boys and 293 girls) aged 9–12 years old participated in this study. The participants were classified as insulin-sensitive or insulin-resistant based on gender-specific cut-off values of HOMA-IR. The TyG index was calculated as follows: ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Results: Children with IR were older, more likely to be girls, and had fewer favorable metabolic risk factors than children without IR. A mediation analysis revealed that while WHtR has a direct effect on HOMA-IR, it also has an indirect effect on HOMA-IR through the TyG index. The bootstrapped 95% confidence interval (CI) confirmed that the TyG index had an indirect effect on the relationship between the WHtR and HOMA-IR (effect = 0.349, SE = 0.075, 95% CI [0.210, 0.504]). The interaction effect between the WHtR and sex for the TyG index was statistically significant (β = −1.369, SE = 0.631, 95% CI [−2.608, −0.129]), but it was no longer significant when vigorous physical activity was considered as a covariate. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that girls are more vulnerable than boys to an increase in the TyG index caused by an increase in WHtR. This gender disparity observed in the study needs to be investigated causally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Metabolic Abnormalities)
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19 pages, 3378 KiB  
Article
Obesity Class and Severity of Metabolic Emergencies: A Single-Center Retrospective Five-Year Study
by Iulia Najette Crintea, Alexandru Cristian Cindrea, Teodor Florin Fulga, Cosmin Iosif Trebuian, Adina Maria Marza, Alina Petrica, Ovidiu Alexandru Mederle and Romulus Timar
Healthcare 2025, 13(6), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13060617 - 12 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of obesity severity on the prevalence and outcomes of acute metabolic emergencies in the emergency department (ED) setting, with a specific focus on obesity class stratification and associated metabolic complications. Methods: This retrospective, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of obesity severity on the prevalence and outcomes of acute metabolic emergencies in the emergency department (ED) setting, with a specific focus on obesity class stratification and associated metabolic complications. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study analyzed data from 433 patients admitted to the ED of the Timisoara Municipal Emergency Hospital between January 2019 and March 2024. Patients were classified according to WHO obesity grades (Class I: BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2, Class II: 35.0–39.9 kg/m2, Class III: ≥ 40.0 kg/m2). The prevalence and severity of metabolic emergencies, including hyperglycemic crises, acute kidney injury (AKI), and severe electrolyte imbalances, were compared across obesity classes. Results: Obese patients (37.2%) exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic emergencies than non-obese individuals (p < 0.001). Hyperglycemia was present in 27.9% of obese patients vs. 11.0% of non-obese patients (p < 0.001). AKI incidence nearly doubled in obese patients (12.4% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.01). Logistic regression identified Class III obesity as an independent risk factor for metabolic emergencies (adjusted OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 2.1–4.9, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The severity of metabolic emergencies increases with increasing obesity class, emphasizing the need for obesity-specific risk stratification in ED settings. Routine monitoring of metabolic markers and early intervention strategies should be prioritized for high-risk obese patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Metabolic Abnormalities)
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