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Nutrients
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Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications
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Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Obesity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 10048

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alina Kuryłowicz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Human Epigenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
2. Department of General Medicine and Geriatric Cardiology, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: obesity; metabolic syndrome; diabetes; endocrinology; epigenetics
Dr. Monika Stołyhwo-Gofron

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Gabinet dr n. med. Monika Stołyhwo-Gofron, 5 Wojnarskiego Street, 80-298 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: overweight; dietary interventions; nutritional treatment; supplementation; obesity pharmacotherapy; bariatric surgery; lifestyle modifications; dietary management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent years have seen dynamic developments in the pharmacological treatment of obesity, and several new drugs will soon be coming onto the market. Nevertheless, the more experience we gain with these drugs, the more we will recognize the importance of dietary treatment. Dietary interventions will continue to be a vital part of obesity treatment, either as the main approach or alongside pharmacological or surgical therapy.

This Special Issue will explore the role of dietary interventions in managing obesity and its complications alongside the development of new treatment methods.

We seek original contributions and reliable literature reviews and meta-analyses on the impact of dietary interventions (including various forms of supplementation) on obesity treatment outcomes.

We invite you to collaborate with us.

Prof. Dr. Alina Kuryłowicz
Guest Editor

Dr. Monika Stołyhwo-Gofron
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Nutrients 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 2900 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
  • overweight
  • dietary interventions
  • nutritional treatment
  • supplementation
  • obesity pharmacotherapy
  • bariatric surgery

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1284 KB  
Article
Green Tea Catechin Plus Inulin Improves Insulin Resistance Without Reducing Visceral Fat and Shows Exploratory Gut Microbiota Signals in Adults with Visceral Obesity: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
by Chikara Iino, Keita Mikami, Keisuke Furusawa, Satoshi Sato, Kenta Yoshida, Tohru Yamaguchi, Hiroto Bushita, Keita Kinoshita, Yuji Matsui, Seiya Imoto, Takuro Iwane, Yoshinori Tamada, Koichi Murashita, Shigeyuki Nakaji, Tatsuya Mikami and Hirotake Sakuraba
Nutrients 2026, 18(5), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050851 - 6 Mar 2026
Viewed by 723
Abstract
Background: Green tea catechins and inulin may improve metabolic health and modulate the gut microbiota; however, double-blind trials evaluating visceral fat, insulin resistance, and microbiota concurrently are limited. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Japanese adults aged 20–75 years [...] Read more.
Background: Green tea catechins and inulin may improve metabolic health and modulate the gut microbiota; however, double-blind trials evaluating visceral fat, insulin resistance, and microbiota concurrently are limited. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Japanese adults aged 20–75 years with visceral fat area (VFA) ≥ 80 cm2 and BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 (trial registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT), jRCTs021230004 (registered 16 May 2023)). Participants were randomized to a catechin + inulin beverage (catechins 400 mg/day; inulin 2.3 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in VFA (bioelectrical impedance). Secondary outcomes included HOMA-IR, metabolic markers, liver fat assessed by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and genus-level gut microbiota. Results: Ninety-six participants were randomized (catechin + inulin, n = 49; placebo, n = 47); 47 and 44, respectively, were included in the full analysis set for the primary outcome. The 12-week change in VFA did not differ between groups (mean change: +0.91 vs. +4.61 cm2; p = 0.243). HOMA-IR decreased in the catechin + inulin group and increased in the placebo group, yielding a significant between-group difference (mean change: −0.32 vs. +0.18; p = 0.020). No other secondary outcomes showed significant between-group differences. In exploratory microbiota analyses, no genus remained significant after false discovery rate correction; however, Coprococcus and Bifidobacterium showed nominal between-group differences (unadjusted p < 0.05). Changes in Coprococcus were inversely correlated with changes in HOMA-IR (r = −0.28; p = 0.010). Conclusions: Catechin plus inulin for 12 weeks did not reduce visceral fat but was associated with improved insulin resistance. Exploratory analyses suggest a potential association between increased Coprococcus and improved HOMA-IR, warranting further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications)
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17 pages, 2891 KB  
Article
Effects of Resveratrol on Browning and Insulin Signaling in Primary Murine Adipocytes: Modulation by Sex and Diabetic Status
by Xinyun Xu, Haoying Wu, Jiangang Chen, Shu Wang and Ling Zhao
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010019 - 19 Dec 2025
Viewed by 574
Abstract
Background: Excess accumulation of white adipose tissue is linked to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are associated with systemic metabolic dysfunction. One promising approach is to convert white adipocytes into beige adipocytes, which have greater thermogenic potential [...] Read more.
Background: Excess accumulation of white adipose tissue is linked to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are associated with systemic metabolic dysfunction. One promising approach is to convert white adipocytes into beige adipocytes, which have greater thermogenic potential and improved insulin sensitivity. Trans-resveratrol (RES), a polyphenolic compound known to have multiple metabolic benefits, has been reported to promote browning of adipocytes and improve insulin signaling; however, it is unclear whether sex and diabetic status modify RES’s effects. Methods: We evaluated the ability of RES to induce browning and increase insulin sensitivity in adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) derived from diabetic db/db mice and explored the extent to which these responses are modulated by sex and diabetic status. Subcutaneous ADSCs were isolated from wildtype (WT) and diabetic (db/db) male and female mice and then treated with RES during beige adipocyte differentiation. Results: RES enhanced the expression of Pgc1α and Ucp1 mRNA and increased mitochondrial proton leak in ADSCs of both WT and db/db mice. RES also enhanced insulin-induced AKT phosphorylation in all groups of ADSCs. Notably, the effects of RES on browning and insulin signaling were influenced by the sex and diabetic status of the mice, as ADSCs from female diabetic mice responded differently compared with those from their WT or male counterparts. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of considering sex and diabetic status when developing browning strategies to target obesity and type 2 diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications)
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15 pages, 278 KB  
Article
Olfactory Capacity and Obesity in Chilean Adolescents
by Samuel Duran Agüero, Gary Goldfield, Karina Oyarce, Camila Riquelme, Julia Pozo and Ana María Obregón-Rivas
Nutrients 2025, 17(24), 3903; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243903 - 13 Dec 2025
Viewed by 2705
Abstract
Background: Childhood obesity is a global issue, influenced by energy-dense foods and powerful cues that affect brain areas regulating food intake. The olfactory system, linked to food preferences and consumption, is inversely related to body mass index. However, no studies have assessed the [...] Read more.
Background: Childhood obesity is a global issue, influenced by energy-dense foods and powerful cues that affect brain areas regulating food intake. The olfactory system, linked to food preferences and consumption, is inversely related to body mass index. However, no studies have assessed the possible effect of eating behavior traits on the relationship between olfactory capacity and obesity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether olfactory capacity, eating behavior traits, and body mass index are associated with obesity in adolescents. Methods: An analysis of 204 Chilean adolescents was undertaken in a cross-sectional study. The proportion of participants with normal weight was found to be 39.2%, that of overweight was 25.9%, and that of obesity was 34.8%. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI Z-score), eating behavior, and olfactory capacity were evaluated. The Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and Food Reinforcement Value Questionnaire (FRVQ) were used to assess eating behavior. The Sniffing sticks test was used to assess olfactory capacity. Results: In the global sample, 1.0% had anosmia, 20.5% had hyposmia, 61.0% had normosmia, and 17.5% were supersmellers. Girls showed higher odor identification percentages than boys (p = 0.01). No gender differences were found in olfactory threshold, discrimination, identification, or TDI (threshold–discrimination–identification) scores, nor nutritional status. Stratified analysis revealed that girls with obesity had significantly lower odor discrimination capacity compared to those with normal weight. Conclusions: the study highlights a potential link between olfactory function and obesity, with obese girls showing reduced odor discrimination compared to normal-weight girls. Further research is needed to explore these mechanisms and their implications for targeted obesity interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications)
16 pages, 481 KB  
Article
The Effect of a Low-Energy and Low-Glycemic Diet on Adipose Tissue Metabolism and Energy Expenditure in Women with Excess Body Weight
by Ewa Lange and Ewelina Pałkowska-Goździk
Nutrients 2025, 17(23), 3789; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233789 - 3 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1284
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Data indicate that a low-glycemic index diet may be an effective nutritional approach to improve cardiometabolic parameters and support weight loss in obese individuals. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of a free-choice low-GI diet [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Data indicate that a low-glycemic index diet may be an effective nutritional approach to improve cardiometabolic parameters and support weight loss in obese individuals. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of a free-choice low-GI diet and a low-energy diet in women with excessive body weight on the value of anthropometric parameters, selected indices of lipid, carbohydrate, and fat tissue metabolism, and alterations in resting metabolic rate (RMR). Methods: Forty-six women were randomly assigned to either a low-GI diet (LGI) or a low-energy diet (LED) for 12 weeks. Dietary habits and anthropometric parameters (waist circumference, body weight, fat mass, total body water, and fat-free mass) were monitored and reviewed regularly. Biochemical parameters—including lipid profile, markers of glucose metabolism, adiponectin, leptin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and RMR—were assessed at baseline and after three months of dietary intervention. Results: Both diets had a beneficial effect on monitored parameters; however, the LGI diet was shown to be superior in reducing waist circumference, LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, leptin, and HbA1c, and in increasing GLP-1 levels without decline in RMR. Conclusions: A low-GI diet, under dietary supervision, can improve metabolic performance and promote weight reduction in people with obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications)
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22 pages, 7983 KB  
Article
Soy Protein Outperforms Whey Protein in Ameliorating Insulin Resistance but Not Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice
by Andong Ji, Yuxia Qi, Kuan Zhao, Juanjuan Niu, Runjia Shi, Zhongshi Qi, Liying Zhou, Chunhui Zhao and Duo Li
Nutrients 2025, 17(21), 3427; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17213427 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 2239
Abstract
Background/Objectives: To date, few studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of soy versus whey protein supplementation on obesity and insulin resistance (IR), yielding inconsistent findings. The aim of the present study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of soy versus whey protein on [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To date, few studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of soy versus whey protein supplementation on obesity and insulin resistance (IR), yielding inconsistent findings. The aim of the present study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of soy versus whey protein on obesity and IR and to elucidate their potential molecular mechanisms. Methods: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups and fed either a normal diet (n = 8) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 32) for 16 weeks to induce obesity. After 16 weeks, HFD-induced obese mice were further randomized into three groups: HFD control, HFD + 20% whey protein isolate (WPI), and HFD + 20% soy protein isolate (SPI) for 6 weeks (n = 8). Results: Body weight, weight gain, body mass index, and Lee index showed no significant differences between the WPI and SPI groups. Compared with the WPI group, serum concentrations of insulin and leptin and the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) were significantly lower, and thymus wet weight, fetal total cholesterol level, and serum glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide concentration were significantly higher in the SPI group. Compared with the WPI group, the protein levels of GLUT4 and p-PI3K/PI3K were significantly higher in the SPI group. Metabolomics analysis showed that hepatic phosphocholine levels were significantly higher in the SPI group than in the WPI group. Moreover, hepatic differentially abundant metabolites of SPI- and WPI-fed mice were primarily enriched in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway. Conclusions: Soy protein was more effective than whey protein in ameliorating IR in HFD-induced obese mice, probably by modulating the PI3K-GLUT4 pathway and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Moreover, soy protein and whey protein showed comparable anti-obesity efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications)
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Review

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24 pages, 1159 KB  
Review
Anthocyanins Modulation of Gut Microbiota to Reverse Obesity-Driven Inflammation and Insulin Resistance
by Caio Cesar Ruy, Tanila Wood dos Santos, Quélita Cristina Pereira and Marcelo Lima Ribeiro
Nutrients 2025, 17(23), 3727; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233727 - 27 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1998
Abstract
Obesity has reached alarming proportions worldwide, becoming one of the most prevalent and critical public health challenges of the 21st century. Currently, there is great interest in studying the treatment of obesity with food-derived bioactive compounds, which have low toxicity and no serious [...] Read more.
Obesity has reached alarming proportions worldwide, becoming one of the most prevalent and critical public health challenges of the 21st century. Currently, there is great interest in studying the treatment of obesity with food-derived bioactive compounds, which have low toxicity and no serious adverse events compared to pharmacotherapeutic agents. Here, we review the benefits of anthocyanin-rich foods in preventing obesity, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and in regulating the gut microbiota in preclinical models and human clinical trials. Evidence suggests that dietary anthocyanins may have anti-obesity effects and reduce the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases by regulating gut health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Interventions for Obesity and Obesity-Related Complications)
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