Hormonal

In morbidly obese humans, insulin resistance is associated with significantly lower AMPK activity and higher oxidative stress (protein carbonylation) in adipose tissue compared to insulin-sensitive obesity, regardless of fat depot.

For morbidly obese individuals, achieving weight loss is a step, but metabolic health (insulin sensitivity) is distinct. Research suggests that insulin-resistant obesity involves lower AMPK activity and higher oxidative stress in fat tissue. While this paper is observational, it highlights that metabolic health is not just about weight but about how fat tissue functions at a molecular level. Interventions that improve AMPK activity (like exercise) may be crucial for improving insulin sensitivity beyond just weight loss.