Effects of Diet on Metabolic Health of Obese People

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2025) | Viewed by 2588

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Guest Editor
Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nutrition; bioactive compounds; metabolic disorders
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Guest Editor
Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 159C Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nutrition; body composition; bioactive compounds; metabolic disorders

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Guest Editor
Laboratory for Nutrition Science, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: nutrition; dietary pattern; body composition

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is considered as an indispensable component of metabolic health assessment and metabolic syndrome diagnosis. This Special Issue, entitled ‘Effects of Diet on Metabolic Health of Obese People’, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of diet and bioactive compounds in supporting the metabolic health of people with excessive adipose tissue, as well as to present the negative impact of dietary patterns or food components on health. Diet and individual food compound intake shape metabolism and body composition. Both nutrients and their metabolites constitute the key biological and functional outputs linking metabolic pathways with health and disease. Advances in research methods and techniques, such as metabolomics, make it possible to capture the subtle changes in the metabolome as a result of the different dietary patterns or dietary interventions. The overall focus of this Special Issue is to investigate the effect of food components and dietary interventions on the changes in metabolic health. Metabolic health biomarkers include various components, such as body composition, insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and inflammation. This Special Issue unravels their associations with diet, dietary patterns, dietary interventions, dietary supplements, and bioactive compounds. The Editors invite relevant original studies and reviews (systematic reviews and meta-analyses and also narrative reviews) for this Special Issue.

Dr. Magdalena Górnicka
Dr. Marta Jeruszka-Bielak
Dr. Irena Keser
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • diet
  • dietary pattern
  • bioactive food compounds
  • body composition
  • nutrition-related biomarkers
  • metabolites
  • metabolic disorders
  • obesity

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 264 KB  
Article
Discriminative Capacity of Visceral Adiposity and Triglyceride Glucose-Waist Circumference Indices for Metabolic Syndrome in Spanish Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Ángel Fernández-Aparicio, Miriam Mohatar-Barba, Javier S. Perona, Jacqueline Schmidt-RioValle, Carmen Flores Navarro-Pérez and Emilio González-Jiménez
Metabolites 2025, 15(8), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15080535 - 7 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a critical period for the early detection of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition that increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases in adulthood. Timely identification of at-risk adolescents enables targeted prevention strategies. This study aimed to analyze the discriminative capacity and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a critical period for the early detection of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition that increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases in adulthood. Timely identification of at-risk adolescents enables targeted prevention strategies. This study aimed to analyze the discriminative capacity and accuracy of six biochemical and/or anthropometric indices related to lipid metabolism and adiposity for the early detection of MetS in a sample of Spanish adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out according to the STROBE guidelines. A sample of 981 adolescents aged 11–16 years old were randomly recruited from schools in Southeastern Spain. The presence or absence of MetS was determined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. The following biochemical and/or anthropometric indices were evaluated: triglyceride glucose index, visceral adiposity index, logarithm children’s lipid accumulation product, triglyceride glucose-body mass index, triglyceride glucose-waist circumference, and triglyceride glucose-waist-to-hip ratio. Results: The triglyceride glucose-waist-to-hip ratio and triglyceride glucose-body mass index parameters were the strongest indicators associated with MetS in boys and girls, respectively, after adjusting for several factors. Moreover, all evaluated indices showed optimal AUC values, with the visceral adiposity index and triglyceride glucose-waist circumference index exhibiting the highest discriminative capacity in both genders. Conclusions: The evaluated biochemical and anthropometric indices—particularly visceral adiposity index and triglyceride-glucose-waist circumference—show promise as accessible biomarkers for identifying adolescents at metabolic risk. These indices may serve as practical tools in preventive health strategies aimed at improving metabolic health by screening adolescents at risk of MetS, thereby helping to reduce the future burden of non-communicable diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Diet on Metabolic Health of Obese People)
17 pages, 1314 KB  
Article
Short-Term Supplementation with 100% Bilberry Products and Its Effects on Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Overweight/Obese Women
by Marta Habanova, Maros Bihari, Radek Latal, Martina Gažarova, Petra Lenártová, Jana Pastrnakova and Jadwiga Hamulka
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040218 - 24 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 623
Abstract
Introduction: Overweight and obesity are major public health concerns, often leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Methods: This eight-week interventional study examined whether regular consumption of two natural bilberry products could improve body composition and lipid profiles in overweight/obese women. A total [...] Read more.
Introduction: Overweight and obesity are major public health concerns, often leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Methods: This eight-week interventional study examined whether regular consumption of two natural bilberry products could improve body composition and lipid profiles in overweight/obese women. A total of 30 participants (aged 50–60 years) were assigned to consume either 125 mL/day of 100% bilberry juice or 10 g/day of 100% bilberry fibre, while maintaining their habitual diets and lifestyles. Results: Although no significant changes were found in anthropometric parameters or blood pressure in either group, both interventions reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Surprisingly, total cholesterol (TC) levels rose in the bilberry juice group (from 6.41 ± 1.23 mmol/L to 6.94 ± 1.30 mmol/L (p < 0.001)), and in the fibre group (from 6.06 ± 1.39 mmol/L to 6.43 ± 1.05 mmol/L (p = 0.046)), likely due to elevated HDL-C (p < 0.001) overshadowing the drop in LDL-C (p < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG) levels did not change significantly and were still within the reference range. Conclusions: Notably, the bilberry juice group experienced a significant reduction in atherogenic small dense LDL (sdLDL) subfractions, suggesting a favourable shift in cardiovascular risk factors. These findings highlight the potential of bilberry-based products as a supportive strategy for improving lipid profiles in overweight/obese women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Diet on Metabolic Health of Obese People)
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Review

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19 pages, 523 KB  
Review
Whey Proteins and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Features: Evolving the Current Knowledge and Future Trends
by Maja Milanović, Nataša Milošević, Maja Ružić, Ludovico Abenavoli and Nataša Milić
Metabolites 2025, 15(8), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15080516 - 1 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 927
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a prevalent, multisystem disease affecting approximately 30% of adults worldwide. Obesity, along with dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, are closely intertwined with MASLD. In people with [...] Read more.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a prevalent, multisystem disease affecting approximately 30% of adults worldwide. Obesity, along with dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, are closely intertwined with MASLD. In people with obesity, MASLD prevalence is estimated to be about 75%. Despite various approaches to MASLD treatment, dietary changes remain the most accessible and safe interventions in MASLD, especially in obese and overweight patients. Whey proteins are rich in bioactive compounds, essential amino acids with antioxidant properties, offering potential benefits for MASLD prevention and management. This state-of-the-art review summarizes whey protein impacts on a spectrum of MASLD-related manifestations, such as obesity, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, hypertension, liver injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The results obtained in clinical environments, with a focus on meta-analysis, propose whey protein supplementation as a promising strategy aimed at managing multifaced MASLD disorders. Well-designed cohort studies are needed for validation of the efficacy and long-term safety of whey proteins in MASLD patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Diet on Metabolic Health of Obese People)
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