Impact of obesity on hormonal balance in women resident in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Obesity, a global public health concern, disrupts hormonal balance in women, adversely affecting reproductive and metabolic health. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of obesity on key hormones such as leptin, insulin, estradiol, and testosterone, and its association with menstrual irregularities among women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 participants, comprising 100 obese and 100 non-obese women aged 18 - 50 years. Participants were systematically sampled, and venous blood samples were collected to analyze serum hormone levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses, including t-tests and correlation, were employed to assess group differences and relationships between body mass index (BMI) and hormonal levels. The results revealed significantly elevated levels of leptin, insulin, estradiol, and testosterone in obese women compared to non-obese counterparts. Obese women also had a higher prevalence of menstrual irregularities , including Oligomenorrhoea , amenorhoea , and anovulation. A strong positive correlation was observed between BMI and leptin and insulin levels, while moderate correlations were noted for estradiol and testosterone. These findings underscore the profound influence of obesity on hormonal dysregulation and its role in menstrual dysfunction. Obesity significantly alters hormonal balance, contributing to reproductive health challenges. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions focusing on weight management and hormonal regulation to improve the quality of life for obese women. Recommendations include integrating routine hormonal evaluations into obesity management programs and enhancing public health education on obesity-related reproductive risks.