EFEITOS DA DIETA MEDITERRÂNEA NA SAÚDE METABÓLICA DE MULHERES COM OBESIDADE

Obesity in women is a growing and multifactorial public health issue, whose repercussions go beyond general metabolic risks, affecting reproductive, hormonal, and psychosocial aspects. The physiological characteristics specific to the female sex — such as hormonal fluctuations throughout life, a tendency to accumulate visceral fat after menopause, and a higher prevalence of eating behavior disorders — reinforce the need for tailored nutritional interventions. In this context, the Mediterranean diet has gained prominence due to its anti-inflammatory potential, cardioprotective effects, and improvement in metabolic markers. This narrative review aims to analyze the effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on metabolic parameters in women with obesity, based on recent literature. Studies published in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were analyzed. The selected studies indicate consistent benefits in insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, body composition, and the reduction of inflammatory processes. Despite promising evidence, methodological and cultural limitations still hinder the standardization and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary model in non-European populations. It is concluded that the Mediterranean diet represents a viable and effective nutritional alternative for managing female obesity, especially when adapted to the sociocultural context of each population.