Background Glucocorticoids, primarily cortisol, mediated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, significantly influence metabolic responses, including insulin resistance, lipolysis, and body fat distribution. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, an adrenal androgen precursor, often counteracts some of cortisol’s metabolic effects. An imbalance between these hormones is hypothesized to impact body composition. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels, their ratio, and body composition in a Korean population. Methods In total, 802 Korean adults participated in this study between 2018 and 2023. Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, body composition, blood pressure, and metabolic variables were assessed. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were measured and analyzed using partial correlation and multiple logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and other relevant confounders, to determine their relationship with body composition. Results Cortisol levels were negatively correlated with body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index after adjustment, and this correlation was more significant in women than in men. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels showed positive correlations with height, body weight, and waist circumference. The cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ratio demonstrated a negative association with height and body weight. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated cortisol levels and a high cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ratio were significant positive predictors of central obesity in men. Conclusions Elevated cortisol levels are associated with lower adiposity, particularly in women. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels are positively correlated with height and body mass. The prediction of central obesity is positively associated with cortisol levels and the cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ratio in men and negatively associated with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels.
Sat Byul Park (Thu,) studied this question.