Background: The prevalence of obesity and increased fat in the chest and abdomen in
women and hormonal changes, can affect female fertility. The present study aims to
investigate the effect of exercise training combined with cinnamon supplementation on
chest and abdominal circumference, as well as sex hormones, in overweight and obese
women.
Methods: Twenty-six inactive overweight and obese women were randomly allocated
to an exercise (E; n = 13) and exercise plus cinnamon supplementation (E+S; n = 13)
group. Both groups completed a 4-week exercise program three times weekly, while
the E+S group additionally received cinnamon supplementation three times weekly.
Chest and abdominal circumferences and serum concentrations of estradiol, progester-
one, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were assessed
before and after the intervention.
Results: Significant pre-to-post reductions in chest and abdominal circumference were
observed in both groups (all p ≤ 0.005). Estradiol, progesterone, and FSH concentrations
increased, whereas LH concentrations decreased significantly in both groups (all p ≤
0.005). However, between-group comparisons revealed a significant difference only for
chest circumference (p = 0.003), with no significant group differences in abdominal
circumference or any reproductive hormone concentration (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Both groups showed favorable changes in anthropometric and reproduc-
tive hormone measures following the 4-week study period. However, the significant
between-group difference was limited to chest circumference, providing no clear
evidence that cinnamon supplementation conferred additional benefits for abdominal
circumference or reproductive hormone profiles beyond those observed with exercise.
These findings highlight the potential relevance of exercise-based interventions while
warranting confirmation in larger, adequately powered trials