Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40678851›Full record

ArticleObesity (Silver Spring, Md.)2025

Gap of women leadership in global obesity research.

Xiangxin Kong, Feifei Guo, Nan Hu, Wei Yang, Bosheng Ma, Furong Zhu, Yuan Yuan, Jia Xiao, Yixing Ren

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Gap of women leadership in global obesity research.Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Xiangxin KongDepartment of General Surgery and Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreas and Intestinal Disease, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
Feifei GuoDepartment of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
Nan HuDepartment of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
Wei YangDepartment of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
Bosheng MaDepartment of Ophthalmology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Furong ZhuLaboratory of Metabolism and Neuroendocrinology, Aier Academician Station, Changsha, China.
Yuan YuanLaboratory of Metabolism and Neuroendocrinology, Aier Academician Station, Changsha, China.
Jia XiaoDepartment of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5647-4190
Yixing RenDepartment of General Surgery and Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreas and Intestinal Disease, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5227-9064

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82070535National Natural Science Foundation of China U23A20401Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou 202201020066
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aims to evaluate and summarize the current state of gender equality for female scientists in obesity research.

methodsWe conducted a comprehensive analysis of governmental funding, high-impact publications/citations, and awards received by female and male scientists engaged in obesity research worldwide. Median citations were compared by sex and year, with group differences assessed using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test.

resultsOur findings reveal a concerning difference: In most representative countries, a higher proportion of male principal investigators received grant support, with Japan exhibiting the most pronounced gender bias. In highly cited obesity papers, female corresponding authors constituted only 33%, with Japan having the lowest representation at a mere 5%, whereas the Netherlands approached near-equal representation (49%). Furthermore, highly cited obesity papers authored by women generally received fewer citations than those by men across most analyzed years and countries. However, a positive trend emerged in awards: the European Association for the Study of Obesity and the Association for the Study of Obesity recognized female scientists at a higher rate than male scientists.

conclusionsThese findings highlight a complex landscape. Although female scientists have gained increased support and recognition in several countries, significant gender inequality persists in obesity research.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchLeadershipObesitySexismAwards and PrizesFemaleHumansMaleResearch Personnel

Identifiers

PMID40678851
PMCPMC12381613

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.