- New research suggests that obesity affects different parts of the brain in men and women, potentially requiring sex-specific treatment options.
- While some brain imaging studies have shown how obesity affects eating habits, this study analyzed different types of brain scans in combination with other clinical information to compare differences between males and females with high BMI compared to those with a normal BMI.
- The researchers found that specific parts of the brain differed between males and females with high BMI, indicating that tailoring treatments to each person’s sex may be crucial in combating obesity.
According to the researchers, it’s important to consider differences between males and females when studying obesity.
The study, published in Brain Communications, involved the analysis of data from MRI scans, clinical characteristics, and medical histories to identify sex-specific processes in the brain that lead to obesity, suggesting that men and women develop obesity for different reasons.
Previous research involving brain imaging has shown how obesity affects eating habits, but not many studies have looked at multiple types of brain imaging to see how obesity is different in males and females.
The researchers used a data-driven approach using multimodal brain imaging (structure, connectivity, and function) to better understand how obesity manifests differently in the brain for women and men.
The study involved the review of data from 183 participants, including 78 with high BMI and 105 with normal BMI.
The researchers used multiple types of brain scans and surveys to collect data on mood, early life experiences, and eating habits.
They analyzed this data using a method called DIABLO to see if they could accurately tell the difference between participants with high BMI and those with normal BMI, as well as the difference between males and females with high BMI.
The analysis was able to correctly differentiate high BMI from normal BMI participants and…
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