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REVIEW PAPER
Obesity and its effects on the endocrine system – a narrative review
1
Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
2
Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Corresponding author
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Obesity is a chronic multifactorial disease associated with metabolic and endocrine disturbances affecting multiple hormonal pathways. Excess dysfunctional adipose tissue contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and hormonal imbalance. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the impact of obesity on the endocrine system, emphasising metabolic, reproductive, thyroid, stress-related, and appetite-regulating hormones.
Review methods:
A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Publications concerning obesity-related endocrine dysfunction, adipokines, insulin resistance, thyroid and reproductive hormones, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis disturbances, and appetite-regulating hormones were analyzed. Original studies, meta-analyses, and clinically relevant reviews published mainly in recent years were included.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Obesity-related endocrine dysfunction involves altered leptin and adiponectin signaling, insulin resistance, cortisol metabolism changes, thyroid-stimulating hormone abnormalities, and dysregulation of ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1. Excess adiposity affects multiple hormonal axes and is associated with reproductive dysfunction, including polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, obesity-related hypogonadism, and impaired fertility. Many endocrine abnormalities may improve after weight reduction achieved through lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy, or bariatric surgery.
Summary:
Obesity should be regarded not only as excessive fat accumulation, but also as a condition characterized by widespread endocrine dysregulation. Understanding hormonal mechanisms involved in obesity may support earlier identification of endocrine complications and more individualized therapeutic strategies.
Obesity is a chronic multifactorial disease associated with metabolic and endocrine disturbances affecting multiple hormonal pathways. Excess dysfunctional adipose tissue contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and hormonal imbalance. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the impact of obesity on the endocrine system, emphasising metabolic, reproductive, thyroid, stress-related, and appetite-regulating hormones.
Review methods:
A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Publications concerning obesity-related endocrine dysfunction, adipokines, insulin resistance, thyroid and reproductive hormones, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis disturbances, and appetite-regulating hormones were analyzed. Original studies, meta-analyses, and clinically relevant reviews published mainly in recent years were included.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Obesity-related endocrine dysfunction involves altered leptin and adiponectin signaling, insulin resistance, cortisol metabolism changes, thyroid-stimulating hormone abnormalities, and dysregulation of ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1. Excess adiposity affects multiple hormonal axes and is associated with reproductive dysfunction, including polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, obesity-related hypogonadism, and impaired fertility. Many endocrine abnormalities may improve after weight reduction achieved through lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy, or bariatric surgery.
Summary:
Obesity should be regarded not only as excessive fat accumulation, but also as a condition characterized by widespread endocrine dysregulation. Understanding hormonal mechanisms involved in obesity may support earlier identification of endocrine complications and more individualized therapeutic strategies.
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