In obese adults, the daily rhythm of the hormone DHEA changes with age: after age 50, the overall level, daily variation, and timing of peak secretion decrease and shift later, regardless of sex or whether the person has fasted.

As obese adults age, their body's daily rhythm of DHEA hormone production becomes weaker, peaks later in the day, and shows lower overall levels, even when fasting, suggesting this change is linked to aging itself rather than metabolic state.

In obese adults, a 24-hour fast is linked to a 11% increase in the average daily level of DHEA hormone, without changing the peak timing or overall range of its daily fluctuation. This suggests the adrenal glands may produce DHEA at a higher average rate during fasting, even if total production remains unchanged.

During fasting, obese women experience a stronger and earlier peak in cortisol levels across the day compared to obese men, whose cortisol rhythm remains unchanged.

In obese adults, going without food for 24 hours is linked to a 11% rise in the average daily level of DHEA hormone, without changing the total amount of DHEA produced over the day.

During a 24-hour fast, obese adults show a higher ratio of cortisol to DHEA in the early morning, indicating a shift in the balance between these two hormones.