Material and Method: The present study was performed in 53 non-obese and 33 obese Thai women (BMI < 23 and ≥ 25 kg/m2 respectively), aged 25 to 45 years. Saliva and fasting blood samples were collected for hormone measurements. Subjects’ eating behavior was evaluated using Thai version of the Three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) and their stress status was assessed by the Thai stress test (TST).

Results: In comparison to non-obese individuals, obese women showed higher disinhibition eating, plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA insulin resistance index, leptin, and triglyceride levels but lesser plasma adiponectin and HDLC. Lower adiponectin was directly associated with higher disinhibition eating. Plasma leptin related positively to fat mass and insulin resistance but negatively to acylated ghrelin level. The trend towards increased acylated ghrelin after adjusted for age, obesity and eating behaviors was shown in stress women.

Conclusion: Increased insulin resistance, high leptin, and reduced adiponectin accompanied with disinhibition eating have been detected in obese women.

Keywords: Insulin, Leptin, Adiponectin, Cortisol, ACR, Acylated ghrelin, Eating behavior, Obese