Key result
Mediterranean diet plus physical activity shows sex-specific metabolic gains, favoring anaerobic in men and aerobic in women.
Why the study?
Does a Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity have gender-specific effects on metabolic parameters in overweight adults?
Observational (n=205)
Does a Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity have gender-specific effects on metabolic parameters in overweight adults?
Gender-specific physiological differences and physical activity types should be considered when prescribing lifestyle interventions to optimize metabolic benefits in overweight individuals.
BACKGROUND: Gender differences in metabolic response to lifestyle interventions remain poorly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a six-month Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention combined with regular physical activity on metabolic parameters in overweight adults. METHODS: = 205; 107 men and 98 women) self-selected into physical activity groups (aerobic, anaerobic, combined or no activity). Gender-specific metabolic changes were assessed, including lipid profiles, liver markers and fasting glucose. RESULTS: Significant gender differences in metabolic results were observed. Men showed greater reductions in total cholesterol (TC) and LDL, as well as significant reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Women showed a significant increase in HDL cholesterol. Fasting blood glucose decreased significantly in both sexes, with no differences between the sexes. Activity-specific analysis revealed that anaerobic activity significantly improved lipid metabolism in men, while aerobic activity produced the greatest benefits in women, including increased HDL and improved liver marker profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic strategies combining MD and physical activity must take into account gender-specific physiological differences and the type of sport activity to optimise metabolic benefits. Personalised approaches may improve the management of cardiovascular risk factors in overweight individuals. STUDY REGISTRATION: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06661330).
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Gorini et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Overweight (n=205). Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity vs. No activity or different types of activity was evaluated on Gender-specific metabolic changes including lipid profiles, liver markers and fasting glucose. A six-month Mediterranean diet and physical activity intervention produced gender-specific metabolic benefits, with anaerobic activity improving lipids in men and aerobic activity benefiting women.
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