Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.0
Journals
JPM
Special Issues
Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
share announcement

Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

A special issue of Journal of Personalized Medicine (ISSN 2075-4426). This special issue belongs to the section "Personalized Therapy in Clinical Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 7451

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mihaela Adela Iancu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IInd Family Medicine Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: cardiology; family medicine; preventive medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Christos Lionis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Health and Society, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
Interests: primary health care and family medicine; quality management; migrant health; formulation of guidelines for the management of common diseases and chronic conditions; cardiovascular disease; gastroenterology and mental health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Cătălina Poiană

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Endocrinology, C. I. Parhon Institute of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: menopause and osteoporosis; neuroendocrine tumours; obesity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of the Journal of Personalized Medicine, entitled “Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders”, which highlights the most recent evidence concerning the role of risk factors, biomarker identification, risk behaviors, and the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. The search for biomarkers, particularly in relation to obesity and metabolic disorders, is one of the new key goals of personalized medicine, as, alongside clinical or paraclinical data, they could clarify the physiopathological mechanisms of obesity and metabolic disorders.

This Special Issue aims to offer an overview of exciting new research on how biomarkers, family and personal medical history, and different lifestyle behaviors can influence the risks of occurrence of obesity and metabolic disorders and how to facilitate the development of personalized interventions in preventive behaviors and management strategies for these conditions.

The articles included will highlight the latest evidence and clinical interventions in the assessment and clinical follow-up of obesity and metabolic disorders, in the following forms:

  • Narrative, scoping, or systematic reviews;
  • Original research articles, including clinical and randomized controlled trials;
  • Health services and primary care research, including the implementation of science interventions or related knowledge.

Dr. Mihaela Adela Iancu
Prof. Dr. Christos Lionis
Prof. Dr. Cătălina Poiană
Guest Editors

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. Journal of Personalized Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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
  • childhood obesity
  • metabolic disorders
  • leptin
  • adipogenesis
  • adipokines
  • dietary intake
  • physical activity
  • behavior
  • obesity-related diseases
  • metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

9 pages, 410 KB  
Article
Association Between Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Growth Delay in Korean Children Aged 18–36 Months: A Population-Based Study
by Eun-Jung Oh, Tae-Eun Kim, Sang-Hyun Park, Hye Won Park, Hyuk Jung Kweon, Jaekyung Choi and Jinyoung Shin
J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(6), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15060261 - 19 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 961
Abstract
Background: Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been linked to childhood growth. However, its effects on growth delay at different early life stages are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and growth delay in [...] Read more.
Background: Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been linked to childhood growth. However, its effects on growth delay at different early life stages are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and growth delay in Korean children, using data from the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children. Methods: Data from 258,367 children born between 2014 and 2021 who underwent health screenings at both 18–24 and 30–36 months of age were analyzed. Maternal BMI within three years before childbirth was classified into five categories: <18.5, 18.5–22.9 (reference), 23–24.9, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m2. Growth delay was defined as measurements below the 10th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference. Adjusted relative risks (RRs) were estimated using regression models controlling for maternal age, comorbidities, and perinatal factors. Results: An increased risk of height growth delay was observed with higher maternal BMI, and this association persisted at both 18–24 and 30–36 months. In contrast, maternal underweight was not significantly associated with a height delay. Low maternal BMI was associated with underweight status in children. Head circumference growth delay was linked to both high and low maternal BMI; children of mothers outside the normal BMI range had an increased risk. Conclusions: Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and underweight were associated with growth delays in height, weight, and head circumference in children up to 36 months of age. These findings underscore the importance of individualized weight management before pregnancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1585 KB  
Article
Phenotype-Driven Variability in Longitudinal Body Composition Changes After a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Intervention: A Machine Learning Cluster Approach
by Victor de la O, Begoña de Cuevillas, Miksa Henkrich, Barbara Vizmanos, Maitane Nuñez-Garcia, Ignacio Sajoux, Daniel de Luis and J. Alfredo Martínez
J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(6), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15060251 - 14 Jun 2025
Viewed by 2274
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a major global public health issue with no fully satisfactory solutions. Most nutritional interventions rely on caloric restriction, with varying degrees of success. Very low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKD) have demonstrated rapid and sustained weight loss by inducing ketone bodies [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity is a major global public health issue with no fully satisfactory solutions. Most nutritional interventions rely on caloric restriction, with varying degrees of success. Very low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKD) have demonstrated rapid and sustained weight loss by inducing ketone bodies through lipolysis, reducing appetite, and preserving lean mass while maintaining metabolic health. Methods: A prospective clinical study analyzed sociodemographic, anthropometric, and adherence data from 7775 patients undergoing a multidisciplinary nutritional single-arm intervention based on a commercial weight-loss program. This method, using protein preparations with a specific balanced nutritional profile, aimed to identify key predictors of weight-loss success and classify population phenotypes with shared baseline characteristics and weight-loss patterns to optimize treatment personalization. Results: Statistical and machine learning analyses revealed that male gender (−9.2 kg vs. −5.9 kg) and higher initial body weight (−8.9 kg vs. −4.0 kg) strongly predict greater weight loss on a VLCKD, while age has a lesser impact. Two distinct population clusters emerged, differing in age, sex, follow-up duration, and medical visits, demonstrating unique weight-loss success patterns. These clusters help define individualized strategies for optimizing outcomes. Conclusions: These findings translationally support associations with the efficacy of a multidisciplinary VLCK weight-loss program and highlight predictors of success. Recognizing variables such as sex, age, and initial weight enhances the potential for a precision-based approach in obesity management, enabling more tailored and effective treatments for diverse patient profiles and prescribe weight loss personalized recommendations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

12 pages, 653 KB  
Review
Flourishing as a Pathway to Well-Being in Obesity Care
by Brunna Boaventura, Harold G. Koenig and Fatima Cody Stanford
J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(12), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15120572 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 202
Abstract
Obesity has increased in prevalence worldwide and is now recognized by the World Health Organization as a global epidemic. Conventional treatments remain predominantly weight-loss-oriented, and although weight is a relevant and necessary clinical indicator, relying on it alone fails to capture the full [...] Read more.
Obesity has increased in prevalence worldwide and is now recognized by the World Health Organization as a global epidemic. Conventional treatments remain predominantly weight-loss-oriented, and although weight is a relevant and necessary clinical indicator, relying on it alone fails to capture the full complexity of health and well-being for people living with obesity. This review proposes a comprehensive conceptual framework grounded in flourishing, advocating for a more holistic and person-centered approach to obesity care. Flourishing encompasses six key domains: life satisfaction and happiness, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships, and financial and material stability. Integrating these domains alongside traditional clinical outcomes allows obesity care to move beyond a narrow weight focus, incorporating strategies that also foster resilience, social connectedness, and purpose. This approach aligns with personalized medicine, supporting interdisciplinary and individualized care. Considering persistent weight stigma and discrimination, embracing a whole-person perspective is not optional but rather essential. By placing the individual, not only the disease or the body, at the center of care, a flourishing perspective complements biomedical indicators and offers a more compassionate and sustainable model of obesity management. However, progress will depend on the openness of healthcare, education, research, and policy stakeholders to adopt new approaches that align care with what truly constitutes well-being for people living with obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 346 KB  
Review
Chrononutrition in Gestational Diabetes: Toward Precision Timing in Maternal Care
by Viktoria Xega and Jun-Li Liu
J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(11), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15110534 - 3 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1107
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a heterogeneous disorder that compromises maternal and offspring health. Conventional medical nutrition therapy focuses on nutrient composition and caloric targets but largely omits timing and individualized biology. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic, epidemiologic and interventional evidence linking circadian [...] Read more.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a heterogeneous disorder that compromises maternal and offspring health. Conventional medical nutrition therapy focuses on nutrient composition and caloric targets but largely omits timing and individualized biology. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic, epidemiologic and interventional evidence linking circadian biology and meal timing (chrononutrition) to maternal glycemic control. Observational cohorts associate late eating and breakfast skipping with worse glycemia, while pilot interventions and CGM-based studies indicate that front-loading carbohydrates, restricting evening carbohydrate, extending overnight fasting (≈10–12 h), and simple within-meal sequencing can reduce postprandial excursions and increase time-in-range. We propose a pragmatic, tiered clinical pathway in which routine second-trimester triage (50 g glucose challenge test and ultrasound abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness) identifies higher-risk women for short-term CGM phenotyping and prioritized chrononutrition counseling. Integrating phenotype-matched timing interventions with dietetic support and digital decision tools allows rapid, individualized adjustments informed by real-time glucose patterns and patient chronotype. In principle, this tiered strategy could improve daily glycemic profiles, reduce the need for pharmacotherapy, and translate into better neonatal outcomes if supported by larger randomized trials. Chrononutrition therefore offers a promising extension of standard care: simple, low-cost adjustments to “when” food is eaten, supported by digital tools, could allow nutrition therapy for GDM to become more precise, more responsive, and ultimately more effective for both mother and child. Key priorities include validating bedside and chrono-omic stratifiers, testing scalable delivery platforms, and ensuring equitable access to personalized chrononutrition in pregnancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

32 pages, 860 KB  
Review
Impact of Reducing Obesity in PCOS: Methods and Treatment Outcomes
by Alexa C. Dzienny and David B. Seifer
J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(11), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15110518 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 2273
Abstract
Obesity has become increasingly prevalent, impacting up to 41 percent of women in the United States between 2021 and 2023, leading to a rise in short- and long-term adverse health events. With regard to reproductive health, obesity is associated with menstrual irregularities, poorer [...] Read more.
Obesity has become increasingly prevalent, impacting up to 41 percent of women in the United States between 2021 and 2023, leading to a rise in short- and long-term adverse health events. With regard to reproductive health, obesity is associated with menstrual irregularities, poorer reproductive and obstetric outcomes, and an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Obesity can lead to hyperandrogenism and anovulation, which is consistent with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The prevalence of obesity is higher in women with PCOS compared to the general population. Although PCOS increases the risk of obesity, not all women with PCOS are obese, and not all women with obesity develop PCOS. However, individuals with both PCOS and obesity often present with a more extreme phenotype, with increased risk of chronic anovulation, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, vitamin D deficiency, and decreased fertility. Therefore, weight loss is the backbone of patient management in women with obesity and PCOS, and is associated with improvement in cardiovascular risk, as well as improvement in menstrual cycles, ovulation, and pregnancy rate. Lifestyle modifications are often the first-line intervention, with data supporting low glycemic index diets, including ketogenic and DASH diets, along with vitamin D supplementation to improve hormonal imbalances, insulin sensitivity, and menstrual cycles in those who do not have normal vitamin D levels. Furthermore, with the recent widespread adoption of newer FDA-approved medications for weight loss, including GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists, new data are emerging regarding the impact of PCOS and longer-term cardiovascular risk. The treatment of PCOS requires a personalized approach, with consideration of a patient’s reproductive goals, tolerance of risk, and acceptance of behavioral and financial commitments, as well as consideration of other medical comorbidities. This narrative review explores different weight loss treatment options, comparing lifestyle modifications (including diet, physical activity, mindfulness, stress management, and cognitive behavioral training), weight loss medications, and bariatric surgery and their respective impact on PCOS to assist clinicians in guiding their patients towards an effective, individualized intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop