In women, which metabolic condition is associated with both obesity and hormonal abnormalities?

• A. Metabolic syndrome
• B. Hypothyroidism
• C. Diabetes mellitus type 2
• D. Cushing's syndrome

Answer: (A)

Metabolic syndrome is closely associated with obesity and hormonal abnormalities in women. It encompasses a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, which commonly occur together and significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

In women, increased adiposity, particularly visceral fat, can lead to alterations in hormone levels such as insulin and estrogen, which further exacerbate metabolic dysfunction. The hormonal changes often observed in metabolic syndrome, like increased insulin levels and alterations in sex hormone binding globulin, contribute to the condition's overall pathology.

While conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus type 2, and Cushing's syndrome also relate to hormonal imbalances and obesity, they do not present the same broad spectrum of metabolic issues that define metabolic syndrome, nor do they encompass the specific associations with both obesity and systemic hormonal disruption as prominently. Therefore, metabolic syndrome is recognized as the most comprehensive metabolic condition linking obesity and hormonal abnormalities in women.