The Effects of Weight Loss and Aerobic Exercise on Cortisol and Cortisol Suppression in Postmenopausal Women with Overweight and Obesity

Purpose: The goal of this study was to explore the complex relationship between obesity, dietary content, weight loss, and cortisol concentrations in postmenopausal women with overweight and obesity. Methods: Women completed basal cortisol testing, a dexamethasone suppression test (DST), DXA scan, 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and food records before (n = 60) and a subset after 6-months of weight loss (WL; n = 15) or aerobic exercise training+weight loss (AEX+WL, n = 34). Results: At baseline, plasma cortisol concentrations decreased significantly after DST in the entire group, a 54% suppression which was associated with basal glucose. Basal glucose levels and glucose AUC from the OGTT are associated with basal cortisol levels (r = 0.44 and r = 0.29, p < 0.05 respectively). The intervention resulted in significant weight loss (−8%) but no significant changes in basal cortisol or changes in cortisol from basal to DST were observed. Conclusion: Additional research is necessary to better comprehend cortisol regulation in postmenopausal women particularly in response to effective weight reduction interventions.