Future Research in Sex Differences in Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: Report by the Society for Women's Health Research

Abstract

Obesity has become an international public health concern. In the United States, the rates of overweight and obesity have escalated dramatically in the last several decades. The health implications of obesity stem from its relationship with the development and progression of several health complications and diseases. Cardiovascular disease, which is the number one killer of women and men, is strongly influenced by obesity. The exact biological relationship between these two conditions is difficult to understand because several overlapping physiological systems and processes influence their development. One important component that affects obesity and cardiovascular disease is the sex of the individual. Although this basic biological variable is an obvious area for scientific study, research analyzing the influence of sex on obesity and cardiovascular disease is gravely lacking. The Society for Women's Health Research convened a workshop of obesity and cardiovascular disease experts in November 2005 to identify the gaps in scientific knowledge and crucial next steps in research related to sex differences in obesity and cardiovascular disease. This meeting report describes the workshop attendees' recommendations in detail.

Behavior and Obesity in Women across the Life Span

“…For example, perceived levels of community violence may strongly impact activity levels of women. 51,52 Burdette et al 51 found that women with young children have higher mean body mass index (BMI; weight / height 2 ) and higher prevalence of obesity as the level of perceived neighborhood safety decreased. Other studies have shown the relationship between neighborhood safety and obesity exists well into later ages.…”

“…The workshop participants defined the gaps in knowledge and the importance of future research in the basic, clinical, and epidemiological sciences related to obesity. 2 Although attendees focused their discussions on basic and clinical research, such as understanding sex differences in adipose tissue biology and distribution, the participants strongly emphasized the importance of understanding the effects of sex differences in behavior on obesity across the life span.…”

Estrogen Impairs Adipose Tissue Expansion and Cardiometabolic Profile in Obese-Diabetic Female Rats

“…Although sex differences in obesity and the associated risk of CVD have been known for many years [1,[5][6][7], the mechanism underlying the influence of sex hormones on the development of these pathologies remains poorly understood. The lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes and their associated comorbidities in pre-menopausal women than in age-matched men has been attributed to the protective role of estrogens [1,8].…”